2026 Best Value Writing Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 775 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value writing studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in writing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Writing Studies Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for writing studies in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #2 place for writing studies. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $38,729. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $32,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in writing studies this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $35,634. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #7 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $40,280. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $16,210 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $20,726. That is a strong return on a $16,210 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for writing studies value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #11 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #12 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $22,676. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $26,282. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #13 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $63,112. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,977. Writing Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $27,533. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #16 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #17 spot for writing studies value this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,187. Writing Studies graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,122. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. 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 writing studies graduates is $24,291. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #20 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, 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.
San Francisco State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $33,293. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #23 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $41,170 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #24 for value in writing studies this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $25,290. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine placed #25 among the best values for writing studies. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $43,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Writing Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for writing studies this year:
Other Writing Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Writing Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Writing Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 775 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 93 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.
