2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value writing studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in writing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Writing Studies Schools
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg tops our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools in Pennsylvania. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $35,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown one of the best values for writing studies. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $35,700. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for writing studies. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Writing Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for writing studies. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seton Hill University earned it the #5 place for writing studies. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,556. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Seton Hill University generally make around $53,485. That is a strong return on a $26,556 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #7 for value in writing studies this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,951. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Wilkes University placed #8 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $33,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Susquehanna University placed #9 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $19,753. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saint Josephs University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,260. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,426. Writing Studies graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $65,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Arcadia University placed #11 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $27,390. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #12 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $39,798. Set against $26,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Chatham University earned the #13 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Chatham University generally make around $44,339. That is a strong return on a $24,261 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,529. Writing Studies graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $53,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Franklin And Marshall College earned the #15 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,794. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,083. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $33,476. Set against $23,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #16 position for value in writing studies this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $67,556. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bucknell University earned the #17 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,951. Writing Studies graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
More Writing Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.