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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Writing Bachelor’s Degree Schools

19 Colleges in the United States
$24,778 Avg Student Debt
$58,860 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Writing Bachelor's Degree Badge [General Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/writing-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 140 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general writing students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Writing Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general writing, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Writing Schools

1

For return on investment in general writing, no school beat University Of Washington Tacoma Campus this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $17,872 in student loans. General Writing graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $29,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,872 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College one of the best values for general writing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,588. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $22,368. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College generally make around $46,038. That is a strong return on a $22,368 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

3
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #3 place for general writing. 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. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in general writing will find it at University Of Wisconsin Superior, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $27,845. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $45,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland State University earned it the #5 place for general writing. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. General Writing graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University earned the #6 position for value in general writing this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,500. Early-career general writing graduates make about $34,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

7

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #7 position for value in general writing this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

8

Grand Valley State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 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 Grand Valley State University generally make around $31,016. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

9

Georgia Southern University ranked #9 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $21,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,713. That is a strong return on a $21,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

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University Of Central Arkansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general writing schools. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,000. Early-career general writing graduates make about $27,366. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas Tech University landed the #12 spot for general writing value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $21,500. General Writing graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

13

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #13 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $26,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

14

Western Connecticut State University came in at #14 for value in general writing this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,332. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $47,559. That is a strong return on a $25,332 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Colorado Denver came in at #15 for value in general writing this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,000 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $34,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

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Western Michigan University came in at #16 for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $21,468. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

17

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in general writing this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $26,500. General Writing graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $23,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

18

Mississippi College earned the #18 position for value in general writing this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,510. Early-career general writing graduates make about $47,611. That is a strong return on a $25,510 median debt. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.

19

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for general writing value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General Writing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $31,218. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

20

Washington University In St Louis landed the #20 spot for general writing value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $17,553. Early-career general writing graduates make about $32,350. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.

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Goucher College crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College landed the #21 spot for general writing value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,350. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,406. Early-career general writing graduates make about $43,670. That is a strong return on a $25,406 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

22

Queens University Of Charlotte came in at #22 for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $27,245. Early-career general writing graduates make about $49,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.

23
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #23 spot for general writing value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. General Writing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Writing graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

24

George Fox University earned the #24 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. General Writing graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $52,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

25
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University earned the #25 position for value in general writing this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. General Writing graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 30 Best Value General Writing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general writing:

26
27
Bennington College crest
Bennington College
Bennington, VT
28
Champlain College crest
Champlain College
Burlington, VT
29
30
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Other General Writing Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Writing rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Writing
Associate's Degrees in General Writing
Master's Degrees in General Writing
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View All General Writing Rankings >

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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 · 140 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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