2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Virginia

[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 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for writing studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Virginia
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 Northern Virginia Community College, our #1 best value for writing studies in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $35,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Randolph College earned it the #3 place for writing studies. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $30,310. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Randolph College generally make around $43,197. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $18,627. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
James Madison University landed the #6 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $22,714. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. That is a strong return on a $22,714 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Hollins University earned the #7 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,560. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $26,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Liberty University placed #8 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,414. Writing Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $35,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Richmond landed the #9 spot for writing studies value this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,634. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $53,815. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
More Writing Studies Rankings
View All Writing Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.