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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Writing Studies Schools in Illinois

8 Colleges in the United States
248 Writing Studies Degrees Awarded
$45,040 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for writing studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Writing Studies in Illinois

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

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in 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%. About 20 writing studies degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent 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

2

University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. 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. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. Get the full writing studies details for University Of Chicago

3

Loyola University Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 writing studies degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Get the full writing studies details for Loyola University Chicago

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in writing studies, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,225 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in writing studies from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes Depaul University one of the top schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their writing studies degree from Depaul University earn around $49,334 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at Depaul University

6
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #6 for writing studies this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. About 70% of students finish within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 12 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $33,556 early in their careers. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full writing studies program report for Elmhurst College

7
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College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best writing studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 19 writing studies degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $43,025 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492. Get the full writing studies details for College Of Dupage

8

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago came in at #8 for writing studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 21 writing studies degrees were awarded at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $37,157 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago

9

Columbia College Chicago came in at #9 for writing studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 52 writing studies degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the writing studies program make about $29,516 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in writing studies from Columbia College Chicago

10
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College landed the #10 spot for writing studies this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Knox College awarded about 16 writing studies degrees in the most recent data year. Writing Studies graduates of Knox College earn a median of $15,466 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete this degree. Read more about the writing studies program at Knox College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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