by our College Data Analytics TeamWriting Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 96 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for writing studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
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.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 school for writing studies. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the writing studies program at San Jose State University
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in writing studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,037 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong writing studies program will find one at Washington State University, which ranked #3. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 31 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $54,697 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at Washington State University
University Of California Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in writing studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. 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. Writing Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree. Get the full writing studies details for University Of California Irvine
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in writing studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 48 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $26,636 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of Southern California
George Fox University landed the #6 spot for writing studies this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 10 writing studies degrees were awarded at George Fox University in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $52,898 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,324. Read more about the writing studies program at George Fox University
Seattle Pacific University earned the #7 position for writing studies this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $52,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from Seattle Pacific University
Dominican University Of California placed #8 among the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Dominican University Of California graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University Of California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $70,752 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for Dominican University Of California
Chapman University came in at #9 for writing studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 47 writing studies degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $32,445. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at Chapman University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $35,019. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,872 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Oregon placed #11 among the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 11 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from University Of Oregon earn around $44,628 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of Oregon
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 19 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $50,691 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,918. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of Nevada Reno
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #13 among the best writing studies schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 15 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $40,280 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete this degree. Get the full writing studies details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus
University Of San Francisco came in at #14 for writing studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. About 30 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $51,069 in their early career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. See the full writing studies program report for University Of San Francisco
San Diego State University landed the #15 spot for writing studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 36 writing studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $41,328 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for San Diego State University
Mount St Marys College came in at #16 for writing studies this year. Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Mount St Marys College graduates 48% of students within six years. About 19 writing studies degrees were awarded at Mount St Marys College in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $70,010 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,555. See the full writing studies program report for Mount St Marys College
San Francisco State University earned the #17 position for writing studies this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 70 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from San Francisco State University earn around $32,862 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Read more about the writing studies program at San Francisco State University
Western Washington University placed #18 among the best writing studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Washington University awarded about 122 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $27,116 in their early career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $18,064 in student loans. More information about a degree in writing studies from Western Washington University
Pepperdine University earned the #19 position for writing studies this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $33,228. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $24,027 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for Pepperdine University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #20 among the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $29,758. Typical student debt for the program is $17,872. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
California State University Fresno earned the #21 position for writing studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $23,133 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,598. More information about a degree in writing studies from California State University Fresno
University Of California Riverside earned the #22 position for writing studies this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $23,528 in their early career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for University Of California Riverside
Oregon State University earned the #23 position for writing studies this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 43 writing studies degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Writing Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $43,004 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,043. Get the full writing studies details for Oregon State University
Portland State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 40 writing studies degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Portland State University earn around $41,170 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from Portland State University
University Of Redlands placed #25 among the best writing studies schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 18 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Redlands in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for University Of Redlands
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s writing studies ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 96 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.