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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Writing Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

31 Colleges in the United States
1,010 Writing Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,428 Avg Early-Career Salary

Writing Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 134 schools to find the best for writing studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Writing Studies in the Great Lakes Region

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

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in writing studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 20 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full writing studies details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 37 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,239 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,999. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Chicago

4
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete this degree. Get the full writing studies details for Butler University

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 40 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $25,084 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,038 in student loans. Read more about the writing studies program at Purdue University Main Campus

6
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #6 for writing studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Cedarville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 writing studies degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $57,104 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,110. More information about a degree in writing studies from Cedarville University

7

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #7 spot for writing studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 101 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. See the full writing studies program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #8 among the best writing studies schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 23 writing studies degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Michigan State University earn around $33,401 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. Read more about the writing studies program at Michigan State University

9

Loyola University Chicago placed #9 among the best writing studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $58,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from Loyola University Chicago

10
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University earned the #10 position for writing studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 12 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Marquette University earn around $60,443 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from Marquette University

11

Miami University Oxford came in at #11 for writing studies this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. About 47 writing studies degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $43,574 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750. More information about a degree in writing studies from Miami University Oxford

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #12 among the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,225. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 41 writing studies degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Depaul University earn around $49,334 in the first couple years of their career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Read more about the writing studies program at Depaul University

14
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot for writing studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 31 writing studies degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Writing Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,857. Get the full writing studies details for Central Michigan University

15
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #15 position for writing studies this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 13 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $39,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from Denison University

16
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #16 among the best writing studies schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 writing studies degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Elmhurst College earn around $33,556 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in writing studies from Elmhurst College

17
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Depauw University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Depauw University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $31,640. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full writing studies details for Depauw University

18
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #18 among the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. College Of Dupage awarded about 19 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $43,025 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492. See the full writing studies program report for College Of Dupage

19

Grand Valley State University landed the #19 spot for writing studies this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $31,016 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from Grand Valley State University

20

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #20 for writing studies this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 128 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $38,632. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

21

University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #21 among the best writing studies schools. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. University Of Wisconsin Superior awarded about 19 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Superior graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Read more about the writing studies program at University Of Wisconsin Superior

22

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Green Bay. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay graduates 53% of students within six years. About 12 writing studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $42,853 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,477. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay

23
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #23 for writing studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Big Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 35 writing studies degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Ferris State University earn around $23,508 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full writing studies details for Ferris State University

24

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #24 for writing studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 writing studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $23,399 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for Ohio University Main Campus

25

Youngstown State University placed #25 among the best writing studies schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 45 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,763. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete this degree. See the full writing studies program report for Youngstown State University

Rest of the Top 34 Writing Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong writing studies education:

26
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
27
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
28
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
29
30
31
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Stark State College
North Canton, OH
32
33
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
34
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Narrow Writing Studies Schools by State

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Notes and References

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 · 134 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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