2026 Best Value General Writing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/writing-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general writing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Writing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general writing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Writing Schools
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #1 spot for value among general writing schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for general writing graduates is $25,943. General Writing graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State University Mankato earned it the #2 place for general writing. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. General Writing graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $26,225. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general writing, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. General Writing graduates carry a median of $24,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,651. Set against $24,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #4 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the best values for general writing. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. General Writing graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general writing degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $32,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general writing, landing the #5 spot this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. General Writing graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Early-career general writing graduates make about $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
Narrow General Writing Schools by State
More General Writing Rankings
View All General Writing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
