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 highest-paying schools turn a writing studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 41 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.
Bucknell University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid writing studies graduates in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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.
A rank of #2 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the highest-paying schools 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.
Cuny City College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in writing studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a public institution. Writing Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of about $64,449 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,178.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,686.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $67,069 per year.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #7 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,767.
Towson University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Towson University make a median of around $53,974 per year.
Arcadia University landed the #9 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $84,341.
New York University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from New York University typically earn about $61,865 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,498.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #12 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a public school located in the town of Bradford. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of about $53,776 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #13 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Early-career writing studies graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg make a median of around $53,776 per year.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #14 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown typically earn about $53,776 annually.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Suny At Binghamton is a public school located in the suburb of Vestal. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton typically earn about $58,435 annually.
Elizabethtown College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Early-career writing studies graduates from Elizabethtown College make a median of around $52,248 per year.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying writing studies schools. 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 $54,779.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $48,905 annually.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #19 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a public institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from Suny College At Plattsburgh make a median of around $34,378 per year.
Chatham University came in at #20 for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Writing Studies graduates of Chatham University earn a median of about $45,682 a year early in their careers.
Loyola University Baltimore placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Loyola University Baltimore typically earn about $34,013 annually.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #22 position for writing studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a public institution. Students who complete the writing studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,680.
The New School placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. The New School is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career writing studies graduates from The New School make a median of around $54,503 per year.
Franklin And Marshall College landed the #24 spot for writing studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, writing studies degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College typically earn about $33,476 annually.
York College Pennsylvania placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for writing studies. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career writing studies graduates from York College Pennsylvania make a median of around $32,750 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid writing studies ranking:
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 · 41 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.