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 61 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for writing studies students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall writing studies education in California.
San Jose State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best writing studies schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in writing studies from San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong writing studies program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 38 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data 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. Get the full writing studies details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 11 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of California Irvine
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 48 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from University Of Southern California earn around $26,636 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Southern California
Dominican University Of California came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Rafael. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. 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. Dominican University Of California graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for Dominican University Of California
Chapman University landed the #6 spot for writing studies this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 47 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Chapman University earn around $32,445 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657. See the full writing studies program report for Chapman University
University Of San Francisco placed #7 among the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. University Of San Francisco awarded about 30 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $51,069 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of San Francisco
San Diego State University earned the #8 position for writing studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 36 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $41,328 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417. More information about a degree in writing studies from San Diego State University
Mount St Marys College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 19 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Mount St Marys College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $70,010 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,555. Get the full writing studies details for Mount St Marys College
San Francisco State University placed #10 among the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 70 writing studies degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $32,862. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full writing studies details for San Francisco State University
Pepperdine University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. 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. Writing Studies graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $33,228 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,027. More information about a degree in writing studies from Pepperdine University
California State University Fresno ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 13 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,133 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. More information about a degree in writing studies from California State University Fresno
University Of California Riverside placed #13 among the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 98 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent 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
University Of Redlands came in at #14 for writing studies this year. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. About 18 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. Typical student debt for the program is $27,175. Get the full writing studies details for University Of Redlands
California Baptist University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Baptist University awarded about 13 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. See the full writing studies program report for California Baptist University
Antioch University Los Angeles earned the #16 position for writing studies this year. Antioch University Los Angeles is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Culver City. About 32 writing studies degrees were awarded at Antioch University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Antioch University Los Angeles earn around $54,082 in the first couple years of their career. Antioch University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $33,752 in student loans. Read more about the writing studies program at Antioch University Los Angeles
California State University San Bernardino placed #17 among the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 16 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $20,726 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,210. See the full writing studies program report for California State University San Bernardino
California Institute Of The Arts placed #18 among the best writing studies schools. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. California Institute Of The Arts awarded about 15 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $13,661 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,031. See the full writing studies program report for California Institute Of The Arts
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #19 position for writing studies this year. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 10 writing studies degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. Writing Studies graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,041. More information about a degree in writing studies from Saint Marys College Of California
This list is compiled 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.