2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools

1

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College tops our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for rhetoric & composition. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $19,500. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

A rank of #5 makes Weber State University one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,398 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $36,205. That is a strong return on a $21,398 median debt.

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,676 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $26,282. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Minnesota Morris
Morris, MN

University Of Minnesota Morris came in at #7 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,080 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $44,479 early in their careers. Set against $21,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.

8

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #9 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $63,112 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

10

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #10 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

11

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $24,291. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

13

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #13 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #14 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $13,999. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

15

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University earned the #15 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $31,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #16 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $47,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #17 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $14,037 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $44,553. Set against $14,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

18

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #18 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $23,508 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #19 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $19,998 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $39,526. Set against $19,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

20

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University came in at #20 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $26,000. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $35,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

21

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,225. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

22

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University landed the #22 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $21,645. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $39,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

23

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown placed #23 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $50,595. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

24

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

25

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona earned the #25 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $34,240. That is a strong return on a $24,822 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.