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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in California

1 Colleges in the United States
$16,138 Avg Student Debt
$73,133 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Badge [Rhetoric & Composition](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/rhetoric-and-composition/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong rhetoric & composition education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for rhetoric & composition students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in California

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the rhetoric & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools

1

Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for rhetoric & composition in California. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

2

San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #2 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in rhetoric & composition will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, 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.

4

Students looking for strong value in rhetoric & composition will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $14,037 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Set against $14,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes San Diego State University one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $16,417. 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. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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