2027 Best Value General Writing Master’s Degree Schools
[General Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/writing-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general writing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for general writing students.
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2027 Best Value General Writing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general writing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Writing Schools
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for general writing in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $16,210. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $20,726. Set against $16,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Portland State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general writing schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $26,475. Early-career general writing graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Alabama earned it the #3 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the general writing program here. General Writing graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
San Diego State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general writing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $16,417. Early-career general writing graduates make about $41,328. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #5 place for general writing. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University landed the #6 spot for general writing value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #7 for value in general writing this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $21,323. Early-career general writing graduates make about $60,459. Set against $21,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #8 position for value in general writing this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. General Writing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Writing graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $47,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #9 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the general writing program here. Early-career general writing graduates make about $26,225. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #10 for value in general writing this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. General Writing graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. General Writing graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $32,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Iowa came in at #11 for value in general writing this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,862 to complete the general writing program here. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,655. That is a strong return on a $24,862 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for general writing. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $27,000. General Writing graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general writing schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. General Writing graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $24,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Queens University Of Charlotte earned the #14 position for value in general writing this year. Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,846. General Writing graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $49,346. That is a strong return on a $27,245 median debt. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.
Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #15 position for value in general writing this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $22,542. Early-career general writing graduates make about $54,116. Set against $22,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Other General Writing Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general writing schools at other degree levels:
View All General Writing Rankings >
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
