2027 Best Value General Writing Schools
[General Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/writing-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general writing schools.
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Finding the Best Value General Writing School for You
The right general writing school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Writing Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Writing Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value General Writing Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general writing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Writing Schools
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for general writing in the United States. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general writing schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $16,210 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $20,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general writing schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general writing will find it at Ferris State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. General Writing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Writing graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $23,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general writing schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $17,872 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $29,758. Set against $17,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
El Paso Community College came in at #6 for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University earned the #7 position for value in general writing this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #8 for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University earned the #9 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in general writing this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. General Writing graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama placed #11 among the best values for general writing. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #12 among the best values for general writing. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $27,845. General Writing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #13 among the best values for general writing. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $33,000 to complete the general writing program here. Early-career general writing graduates make about $34,339. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #14 spot for general writing value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $16,417. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $41,328. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general writing schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the general writing program here. Early-career general writing graduates make about $53,079. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #16 for value in general writing this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $30,114. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,411. Set against $30,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #17 among the best values for general writing. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $24,673. Early-career general writing graduates make about $51,799. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College At Potsdam came in at #18 for value in general writing this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $20,455. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Central Michigan University earned the #19 position for value in general writing this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $27,857. General Writing graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #20 position for value in general writing this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $18,666. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Grand Valley State University placed #21 among the best values for general writing. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. General Writing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $31,016. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota earned the #22 position for value in general writing this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,110. Early-career general writing graduates make about $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #23 among the best values for general writing. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $21,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general writing schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,323 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $60,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #25 among the best values for general writing. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $62,903. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value General Writing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general writing this year:
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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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
