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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools

24 Colleges in the United States
$22,929 Avg Student Debt
$60,995 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Bachelor's Degree Badge [Rhetoric & Composition](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/rhetoric-and-composition/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong rhetoric & composition education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 139 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value rhetoric & composition schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in rhetoric & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for rhetoric & composition in the United States. 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. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

2

Weber State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $21,398. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $36,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

University Of Minnesota Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #3 spot 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. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $44,479. Set against $21,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.

4

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $22,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

5

A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $19,819. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $63,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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6

San Francisco State University came in at #6 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $50,955. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

8

Youngstown State University earned the #8 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $26,169. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $31,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,169 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

9
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #9 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $47,950. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

10

University Of California Berkeley ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

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Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #11 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $23,508. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12

Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #12 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

13

Old Dominion University came in at #13 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $35,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #14 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $23,250. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,225 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

15

University Of Houston Downtown ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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16

University Of Arizona came in at #16 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $26,715. Set against $24,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

East Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

18

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #18 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $38,407. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

19

Georgia Southern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.

20

University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg landed the #20 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,710, while out-of-state students pay about $26,584. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $35,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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21

University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $14,363. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $33,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,363 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

22

University Of Montevallo came in at #22 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $36,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,096 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

23

George Mason University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $23,250. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $40,114 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

24

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #24 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $47,377 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

25

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #25 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $21,323. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for rhetoric & composition this year:

26
27
28
29
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
30
31
32
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
33
34
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
35
36
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
37
38
39
Goucher College crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD
40
41
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
42
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
43
44
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
45
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Other Rhetoric & Composition Degree Levels

Explore the best-value rhetoric & composition schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Rhetoric & Composition
Associate's Degrees in Rhetoric & Composition
Master's Degrees in Rhetoric & Composition
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View All Rhetoric & Composition Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 139 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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