Compare 53 Writing, General. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $33,631.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Writing, General. tells a different story. Across 53 programs, earnings range from $36,408 to $55,081—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Michigan State University's Writing, General. program leads with graduates earning $55,081, well above the $33,631 average. Depauw University follows at $52,656, while the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities delivers $51,465 with a much larger cohort of 212 students—demonstrating that program outcomes vary independently of institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 9.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families including parent loans, University of Wisconsin-Stout leads with a 19.8% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $55,081
Strong outcomes ($55,081) with 84% acceptance
9.3% payment burden | Good
19.8% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $55,081 | 35 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #2 | Depauw UniversityPrivate | $52,656 | 18 | $27,000 | Manageable | $35,134 | High |
| #3 | $51,465 | 212 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | $49,481 | 17 | $20,489 | Good | $27,470 | High |
| #5 | Wabash CollegePrivate | $49,058 | 10 | $27,000 | Manageable | $28,000 | High |
| #6 | $47,992 | 26 | $21,992 | Good | $15,092 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $47,302 | 25 | $23,000 | Manageable | $11,000 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Drake UniversityPrivate | $47,254 | 23 | $23,000 | Manageable | $26,000 | High |
| #9 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $47,067 | 22 | $23,940 | Manageable | $45,500 | High |
| #10 | $46,309 | 47 | $21,250 | Manageable | $23,602 | High | |
| #11 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $45,228 | 70 | $23,000 | Manageable | $34,512 | High |
| #12 | $43,991 | 112 | $25,000 | Manageable | $25,947 | High | |
| #13 | $43,382 | 11 | $19,500 | Manageable | $14,457 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $40,555 | 36 | $19,500 | Manageable | $30,250 | High | |
| #15 | $38,515 | 40 | $24,000 | Challenging | $16,900 | High | |
| #16 | $38,289 | 10 | $25,000 | Challenging | $12,953 | High | |
| #17 | Illinois CollegePrivate | $38,289 | 10 | $25,565 | Challenging | $22,975 | High |
| #18 | $37,400 | 48 | $19,500 | Challenging | $29,448 | High | |
| #19 | North Central CollegePrivate | $36,848 | 7 | $24,500 | Challenging | $30,000 | High |
| #20 | Denison UniversityPrivate | $36,408 | 18 | $26,000 | High | $45,521 | High |
| #21 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $36,336 | 16 | $21,000 | Challenging | $14,849 | High |
| #22 | $35,941 | 19 | $25,000 | High | $16,878 | High | |
| #23 | $35,518 | 26 | $25,000 | High | $18,264 | High | |
| #24 | $35,370 | 37 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #25 | Taylor UniversityPrivate | $34,915 | 15 | $20,500 | Challenging | $45,174 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
