ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Writing Studies Schools

187 Colleges in the United States
10,600 Writing Studies Degrees Awarded
$41,942 Avg Early-Career Salary

Writing Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 775 schools to find the best for writing studies students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 7
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 23.13), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Professional Writing (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Professional Writing (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Creative Writing (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Creative Writing (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Creative Writing & English" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Creative Writing & English" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA English in Professional Writing" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA English in Professional Writing" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Choosing a Great Writing Studies School

Best Writing Studies Schools

Where you study writing studies matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Writing Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Writing Studies Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Writing Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Writing Studies
Master's Degrees in Writing Studies
Doctoral Degrees in Writing Studies

We offer several rankings, including this Best Writing Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 7
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 23.13), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Professional Writing (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Professional Writing (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Creative Writing (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Creative Writing (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Creative Writing & English" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Creative Writing & English" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA English in Professional Writing" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA English in Professional Writing" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
ADBLOCK #171

Best Schools for Writing Studies in the United States

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the writing studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Writing Studies

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in writing studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 76 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Pennsylvania

2

A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for writing studies. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 20 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full writing studies details for Northwestern University

3

Students looking for a strong writing studies program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 11 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

4
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #4 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for writing studies. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 76 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Read more about the writing studies program at Harvard University

5
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. Boston University awarded about 43 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232. More information about a degree in writing studies from Boston University

6

University Of Georgia landed the #6 spot for writing studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 21 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $53,546 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of Georgia

7

Johns Hopkins University came in at #7 for writing studies this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 133 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $49,461. Typical student debt for the program is $13,728. See the full writing studies program report for Johns Hopkins University

8

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for writing studies this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $52,025. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

9

University Of Denver came in at #9 for writing studies this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 48 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Denver

10

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #10 spot for writing studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 124 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $60,459 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,323 in student loans. More information about a degree in writing studies from The University Of Texas At Austin

11

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 14 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Writing Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

12

San Jose State University placed #12 among the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 11 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full writing studies details for San Jose State University

13

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 24 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $53,254 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Get the full writing studies details for Carnegie Mellon University

14
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #14 for writing studies this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Drexel University awarded about 25 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Drexel University earn around $67,556 in the first couple years of their career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. More information about a degree in writing studies from Drexel University

15
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #15 spot for writing studies this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 78 writing studies degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Writing Studies graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $43,505 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for Clemson University

16

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #16 position for writing studies this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $51,233 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,113. See the full writing studies program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

17

University Of California Berkeley earned the #17 position for writing studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $44,553. Typical student debt for the program is $14,037. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of California Berkeley

18

Washington State University earned the #18 position for writing studies this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 31 writing studies degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $54,697 in their early career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. See the full writing studies program report for Washington State University

19

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #19 position for writing studies this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 121 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,407. Typical student debt for the program is $22,375. See the full writing studies program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

20

University Of California Irvine earned the #20 position for writing studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $50,958 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for University Of California Irvine

21
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 writing studies degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $52,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488. Get the full writing studies details for Rowan University

22

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #22 position for writing studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,239. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

23

University Of Chicago landed the #23 spot for writing studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 19 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. See the full writing studies program report for University Of Chicago

24
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University placed #24 among the best writing studies schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 12 writing studies degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. More information about a degree in writing studies from Butler University

25

George Washington University earned the #25 position for writing studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 11 writing studies degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for George Washington University

Rest of the Top 50 Writing Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s writing studies ranking:

26
27
28
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
29
30
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
31
32
33
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
34
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
35
36
Colby College crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME
37
38
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA
39
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
40
41
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
42
43
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
44
45
46
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
47
48
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY
49
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY
50
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Additional Writing Studies Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for writing studies:

Rank School Location
#53 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
#55 University Of Washington Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
#62 University Of Rochester Rochester, NY
#70 Miami University Oxford Oxford, OH
#72 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
#73 University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Champaign, IL
#76 Emerson College Boston, MA
#81 Texas State University San Marcos San Marcos, TX
#89 University Of Iowa Iowa City, IA
#102 Columbia University In The City Of New York New York, NY
#107 University Of New Mexico Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
#111 University Of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
#116 University Of Arizona Tucson, AZ
#125 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
#134 Bowling Green State University Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
#174 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for writing studies:

>
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 7
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 23.13), keeping min_relevance at 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA English in Professional Writing" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA English in Professional Writing" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: Backfilling with 2 offers with relevance >= 0.7

Writing Studies by Region

Explore the best writing studies schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

ADBLOCK #173
View All Rankings >

Explore other rankings in majors related to Writing Studies. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Creative Writing 5,942
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing 2,532
Rhetoric and Composition 1,191
Writing, General 516
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other 419

View All Writing Studies Concentrations >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 775 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options