2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in Pennsylvania

[Rhetoric & Composition](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/rhetoric-and-composition/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value rhetoric & composition schools.
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2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in rhetoric & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #1 spot for value among rhetoric & composition schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $26,000. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $35,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in rhetoric & composition will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $26,000. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $35,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #4 makes Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $37,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #5 place for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $39,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. 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. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.