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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 72 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.
Arcadia University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid writing studies graduates in the United States. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Arcadia University make a median of around $84,341 per year.
Clemson University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in writing studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,517.
University Of Southern California produces some of the highest-paid graduates in writing studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $73,165 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in writing studies will find them at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of about $115,188 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus typically earn about $115,188 annually.
Mount St Marys College came in at #6 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Mount St Marys College make a median of around $70,010 per year.
Cuny City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Cuny City College is a public school located in the city of New York. Writing Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of about $64,449 a year early in their careers.
Ashland University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Ashland University earn a median of about $61,708 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,204.
Johns Hopkins University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located 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 $68,039.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #11 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso typically earn about $56,065 annually.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Early-career writing studies graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham make a median of around $56,767 per year.
Kennesaw State University landed the #13 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Kennesaw State University make a median of around $55,464 per year.
Boise State University landed the #14 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Boise State University make a median of around $55,136 per year.
Towson University landed the #15 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Towson University typically earn about $53,974 annually.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University typically earn about $53,254 annually.
New York University landed the #17 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,865.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst typically earn about $52,025 annually.
The University Of Montana ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a public institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,995.
Queens University Of Charlotte ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Early-career writing studies graduates from Queens University Of Charlotte make a median of around $55,682 per year.
Depaul University came in at #21 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Set 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.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Writing Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of about $51,233 a year early in their careers.
Lindenwood University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of about $56,012 a year early in their careers.
University Of San Francisco ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco typically earn about $51,069 annually.
National University came in at #25 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of National University earn a median of about $60,763 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid writing studies ranking:
Explore the highest-paying writing studies schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 72 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.