2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Texas

[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for writing studies students.
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2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in writing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Writing Studies Schools
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among writing studies schools in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $13,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $33,514. Set against $13,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #2 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. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #3 place for writing studies. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. 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. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #4. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. 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. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $63,112. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at University Of Houston Downtown, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $50,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $25,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #7 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $37,618. That is a strong return on a $21,765 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,628. Writing Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #9 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,323 in student loans. 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%.
Texas Tech University earned the #10 position for value in writing studies this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,500. Writing Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $43,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #11 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $49,888. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.