2026 Best Writing Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Writing Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 775 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Writing Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Texas Christian University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical Writing Studies student debt is $22,960. Read more about Texas Christian University
A rank of #2 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Carnegie Mellon University Writing Studies students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
The strong Writing Studies programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Writing Studies student debt is $14,037. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
You'll be in good company at Duquesne University, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete their Writing Studies program here. See the full Duquesne University profile
The strong Writing Studies programs at Michigan State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Iowa State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. This public school is set in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. The median Writing Studies program debt is $23,495. Read the full report on Iowa State University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #7 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Writing Studies program debt is $21,323. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas Tech University placed #8 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical Writing Studies student debt is $21,500. Read more about Texas Tech University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical Writing Studies student debt is $26,349. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Old Dominion University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. The median Writing Studies program debt is $26,000. Get the full Old Dominion University report
George Mason University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. The median Writing Studies program debt is $23,250. More on George Mason University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #12 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete their Writing Studies program here. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. North Dakota State University Main Campus Writing Studies students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
University Of Louisville placed #14 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Set in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. University Of Louisville posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. University Of Louisville Writing Studies students take on a median of $21,910 in debt. Get the full University Of Louisville report
University Of Houston came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. University Of Houston Writing Studies students take on a median of $21,255 in debt. More on University Of Houston
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical Writing Studies student debt is $23,530. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete their Writing Studies program here. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
The University Of Texas At El Paso did well this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in El Paso, TX. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. The median Writing Studies program debt is $19,819. See the full The University Of Texas At El Paso profile
University Of Central Florida came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. The median Writing Studies program debt is $22,676. Read more about University Of Central Florida
Utah State University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Utah State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete their Writing Studies program here. See the full Utah State University profile
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. The median Writing Studies program debt is $14,363. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
East Carolina University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Greenville, NC. East Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. East Carolina University Writing Studies students take on a median of $24,747 in debt. Read more about East Carolina University
University Of Arizona came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete their Writing Studies program here. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Texas Womans University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. Set in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Texas Womans University Writing Studies students take on a median of $24,211 in debt. Read the full report on Texas Womans University
Western Michigan University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Western Michigan University Writing Studies students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Western Michigan University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Writing Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Art Academy Of Cincinnati came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Art Academy Of Cincinnati
Calvin College
Calvin College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Read more about Calvin College
Cedarville University did well this year, earning the #28 position. See the full Cedarville University profile
Ringling College Of Art And Design placed #29 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Ringling College Of Art And Design report
Wabash College
Wabash College placed #30 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. See the full Wabash College profile
Clark Atlanta University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. See the full Clark Atlanta University profile
Madonna University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. Get the full Madonna University report
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. More on Stephen F Austin State University
University Of Alaska Fairbanks did well this year, earning the #34 position. See the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks profile
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. Read more about University Of Michigan Dearborn
Lee University
Lee University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. More on Lee University
Regis University
Regis University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. Read the full report on Regis University
Saddleback College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. More on Saddleback College
Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. See the full Sewanee The University Of The South profile
The University Of Montana came in at #40 in this year's ranking. More on The University Of Montana
The University Of Tennessee came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
Wellesley College did well this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Wellesley College report
Ohio Wesleyan University placed #43 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Ohio Wesleyan University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #44 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville report
St Charles Community College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Get the full St Charles Community College report
Elon University
Elon University placed #46 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Elon University
San Juan College
San Juan College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. See the full San Juan College profile
St Johns University New York did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about St Johns University New York
William Jewell College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on William Jewell College
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Writing Studies schools. Read more about Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Related Writing Studies Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Writing Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Writing Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Writing Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Writing Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Writing Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Writing Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Writing Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 775 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).