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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find where writing studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose writing studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Marquette University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Marquette University earn a median of about $58,216 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for writing studies. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Early-career writing studies graduates from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus make a median of around $55,459 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in writing studies will find them at Wabash College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Wabash College earn a median of about $50,446 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in writing studies will find them at Ashland University, which ranked #4. Ashland University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Writing Studies graduates of Ashland University earn a median of about $61,708 a year early in their careers.
Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Early-career writing studies graduates from Michigan State University make a median of around $62,048 per year.
Miami University Oxford placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Miami University Oxford is a public school located in the town of Oxford. Writing Studies graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of about $53,086 a year early in their careers.
Depaul University came in at #7 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Depaul University typically earn about $55,373 annually.
Depauw University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Depauw University typically earn about $58,790 annually.
Elmhurst College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of about $54,045 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Eastern Michigan University make a median of around $41,746 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #11 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout typically earn about $50,892 annually.
Delta College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Delta College typically earn about $41,751 annually.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,366.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $50,559 annually.
Denison University earned the #15 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,531.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from University Of Michigan Flint make a median of around $52,556 per year.
Youngstown State University came in at #17 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University typically earn about $39,088 annually.
Grand Valley State University earned the #18 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. Writing Studies graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $38,930 a year early in their careers.
Oakland University landed the #19 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a public institution. Writing Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of about $32,718 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #20 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $47,544 annually.
Taylor University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Taylor University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Taylor University typically earn about $44,149 annually.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #22 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Writing Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $43,184 a year early in their careers.
Ferris State University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Ferris State University is a public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Early-career writing studies graduates from Ferris State University make a median of around $45,012 per year.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #24 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,827.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #25 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,608.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning writing studies graduates:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their writing studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 36 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.