2027 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Rhetoric & Composition](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/rhetoric-and-composition/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong rhetoric & composition education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value rhetoric & composition schools.
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2027 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in rhetoric & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among rhetoric & composition schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $31,239. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $23,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for rhetoric & composition. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $26,169. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in rhetoric & composition will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,401. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $27,000. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $38,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College placed #8 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $23,250. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $33,556. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford came in at #10 for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $49,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.