2026 Best Value General Writing Schools

1

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for general writing in the United States. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. General Writing graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,133 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

2

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for general writing. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Writing graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Students looking for strong value in general writing will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #3. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $16,210. General Writing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $20,726 early in their careers. Set against $16,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

4

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $17,872. Early-career general writing graduates make about $29,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

5

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

6

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. General Writing graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

7

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Tifton, GA

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College landed the #7 spot for general writing value this year. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Tifton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $10,588. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $22,368. Early-career general writing graduates make about $46,038. That is a strong return on a $22,368 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

8

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #8 among the best values for general writing. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,943. Early-career general writing graduates make about $53,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

9

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

10

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #10 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $23,508. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

11

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #11 spot for general writing value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. General Writing graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

12

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #12 for value in general writing this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. General Writing graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $45,219. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

13

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #13 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $30,114. Early-career general writing graduates make about $44,411. Set against $30,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $34,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #15 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. General Writing graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. General Writing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

16

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #16 for value in general writing this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. General Writing graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. General Writing graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #17 position for value in general writing this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $16,417. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $41,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

18

Dixie State College Of Utah
Saint George, UT

Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #18 position for value in general writing this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $18,666. General Writing graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,000. General Writing graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $31,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

20

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing 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. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $31,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

21

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #21 position for value in general writing this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. General Writing graduates carry a median of $21,323 in student loans. General Writing graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $60,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,323 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

22

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #22 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

University Of Central Arkansas came in at #23 for value in general writing this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $27,366. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Huntsville, AL

University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #24 position for value in general writing this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

25

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #25 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. General Writing graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. General Writing graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $26,225 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.