2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in the Southeast Region
[Rhetoric & Composition](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/rhetoric-and-composition/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for rhetoric & composition students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in rhetoric & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools
University Of Central Florida earned the #1 spot for value among rhetoric & composition schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,676 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $26,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Alabama one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $24,291. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $35,716. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes East Tennessee State University one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Southern University earned it the #5 place for rhetoric & composition. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Montevallo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,968. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $36,673. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Montevallo admits about 54% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #7 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. 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. 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 $37,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Clemson University earned the #8 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $23,250. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $43,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #9 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $27,414. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $35,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Richmond ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
