2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value writing studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 University Of Missouri St Louis, our #1 best value for writing studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,943. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Truman State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $16,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Wichita State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,262. Writing Studies graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,825. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $26,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $38,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #6 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Anoka Ramsey Community College placed #7 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $22,593 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $44,293. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
University Of North Dakota placed #8 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $47,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University earned the #10 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,680 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,680 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #12 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $26,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lindenwood University earned the #13 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $28,663. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $48,018. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #14 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $32,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Hamline University earned the #15 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,000. Writing Studies graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $27,167 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
Drury University landed the #16 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,094. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $24,127. That is a strong return on a $23,094 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #17 position for value in writing studies this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $24,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,651. Set against $24,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College came in at #18 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,319. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $59,409. That is a strong return on a $26,319 median debt. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
Cornell College earned the #19 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $18,241. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University placed #20 among the best values for writing studies. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $22,273. Writing Studies graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Macalester College came in at #21 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,104. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $20,000. Writing Studies graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $29,487 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
