by our College Data Analytics Team
[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their writing studies graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying writing studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose writing studies graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in writing studies, no school beat Carnegie Mellon University this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Early-career writing studies graduates from Carnegie Mellon University make a median of around $92,686 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at James Madison University earned it the #2 place for writing studies. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,972.
Bucknell University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in writing studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of about $63,043 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for writing studies. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $60,550 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Drake University one of the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Writing Studies graduates of Drake University earn a median of about $59,135 a year early in their careers.
Marquette University earned the #6 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Marquette University typically earn about $58,216 annually.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #7 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $55,459 annually.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $69,742 annually.
Clemson University came in at #9 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Writing Studies graduates of Clemson University earn a median of about $70,941 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University came in at #10 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. Writing Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $63,437 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #11 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong typically earn about $63,437 annually.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,703.
Wabash College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Wabash College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. Early-career writing studies graduates from Wabash College make a median of around $50,446 per year.
George Mason University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $65,410 annually.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #15 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution. Writing Studies graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $49,740 a year early in their careers.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Early-career writing studies graduates from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $67,069 per year.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #17 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,649.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Missouri State University Springfield make a median of around $50,032 per year.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #19 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $61,896 annually.
University Of Utah ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a public institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,950.
Brandeis University landed the #21 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of about $47,895 a year early in their careers.
Texas Tech University landed the #22 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Writing Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $58,424 a year early in their careers.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from University Of Rhode Island make a median of around $51,925 per year.
Miami University Oxford placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Miami University Oxford make a median of around $53,086 per year.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. Writing Studies graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of about $56,872 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send writing studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying writing studies schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries writing studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.