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2026 Best Writing Studies Doctoral Degree Schools

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:

#1

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX

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

#2

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

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

#4

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA

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

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

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

#8

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

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

#10

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

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

#11

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

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

#14

University Of Louisville

Louisville, KY

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

#15

University Of Houston

Houston, TX

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

#20

Utah State University

Logan, UT

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

#22

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

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

#23

University Of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

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

#24

Texas Womans University

Denton, TX

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

#25

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

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 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 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 landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. More on Lee 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 placed #46 among Writing Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Elon University

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

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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

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