2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong writing studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for writing studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the writing studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Writing Studies Schools
Leading the list is College Of Dupage, our #1 best value for writing studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $13,999. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,239 early in their careers. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Ferris State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, writing studies 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.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $34,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for writing studies. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College came in at #6 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #7 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $45,219. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Chicago landed the #8 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University earned the #9 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,763. Set against $26,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #10 spot for writing studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $42,853. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $20,038. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $25,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #12 among the best values for writing studies. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $24,225. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #13 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $30,432 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $23,298. Set against $30,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #14 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $31,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #15 for value in writing studies 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. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Western Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for writing studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $21,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #17 for value in writing studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $35,423. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in writing studies this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $23,399. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Depauw University placed #20 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,070. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $31,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Beloit College landed the #21 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,886. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Beloit College earn a median of $21,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Beloit College admits about 63% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in writing studies this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $38,632. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College landed the #23 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $33,556 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University earned the #24 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $22,110. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Knox College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $57,903. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Knox College earn a median of $15,466 early in their careers. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Writing Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in writing studies:
Narrow Writing Studies Schools by State
More Writing Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
