2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value writing studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the Southwest 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
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among writing studies schools in the Southwest Region. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $13,967. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $33,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $8,542. Writing Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. 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 Houston Victoria, which ranked #4. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,081. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $63,112 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #6 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $50,595 early in their careers. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Mesa Community College placed #7 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
University Of Houston earned the #8 position for value in writing studies this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #9 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,645. Writing Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $39,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture landed the #10 spot for writing studies value this year. Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. Students from in state pay about $5,920 in tuition and fees. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $29,835. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Arizona State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $30,114 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,411 early in their careers. Set against $30,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #12 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $19,424 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $48,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #13 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $14,363. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $33,999. That is a strong return on a $14,363 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #14 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $34,240 early in their careers. Set against $24,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #15 spot for writing studies value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $21,765 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $37,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for value in writing studies 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $43,947 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,323 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $60,459. Set against $21,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #18 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University landed the #19 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,186 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $31,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University placed #20 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $41,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #21 spot for writing studies value this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
