2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #1 spot for value among rhetoric & composition schools in the United States. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $19,500. 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.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Students looking for strong value in rhetoric & composition will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. 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. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,676 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $26,282. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

5

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #5 place for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. 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.

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #6 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama earned the #7 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. 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. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for rhetoric & composition value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown earned the #10 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $23,925. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $50,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

11

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #11 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, 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. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

12

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #12 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. 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%.

13

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $37,687. Set against $21,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

14

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University placed #14 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $35,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

15

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #15 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. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $47,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

16

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #16 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,323 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

17

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

18

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon came in at #18 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $44,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

19

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.

20

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #20 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $49,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

21

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford earned the #21 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $49,700. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.

22

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #22 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $27,414. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $35,180. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

23

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #23 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $53,254. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

24

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #24 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $24,935. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.