Compare 32 Writing, General. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $35,943.
With top graduates earning $76,444, Writing, General. stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $40K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
At the top, Carnegie Mellon University produces Writing, General. graduates earning $76,444, significantly above the $35,943 average across 32 Northeast programs. But regional publics compete strongly—Shippensburg University ($52,934) and West Chester University ($52,134) both outperform the regional average while maintaining accessible admissions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Carnegie Mellon graduates borrow $21,750 and face just a 5.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the program both top-performing and affordable.
Highest program earnings: $76,444
Strong outcomes ($52,934) with 86% acceptance
5.5% payment burden | Excellent
16.4% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $76,444 | 29 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Manageable |
| #2 | $52,934 | 30 | $25,000 | Good | $28,373 | High | |
| #3 | $52,134 | 176 | $23,500 | Good | $25,362 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $51,684 | 23 | $22,250 | Good | $28,000 | High | |
| #5 | $46,599 | 282 | $24,250 | Manageable | $35,031 | High | |
| #6 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $45,905 | 47 | $18,500 | Good | $27,270 | High |
| #7 | Elizabethtown CollegePrivate | $44,998 | 11 | $27,000 | Manageable | $51,299 | High |
| #8 | Emerson CollegePrivate | $43,925 | 97 | $23,000 | Manageable | $69,996 | High |
| #9 | $42,826 | 25 | $26,000 | Manageable | $26,389 | High | |
| #10 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | $41,565 | 19 | $27,000 | Challenging | $62,750 | High |
| #11 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $40,368 | 10 | $25,648 | Challenging | $35,451 | High |
| #12 | Champlain CollegePrivate | $36,401 | 21 | $26,814 | High | $35,886 | High |
| #13 | $35,062 | 19 | $24,147 | High | $19,000 | High | |
| #14 | Cuny Brooklyn CollegePublic | $35,045 | 28 | $11,000 | Manageable | $17,273 | High |
| #15 | $34,508 | 11 | $21,196 | Challenging | $19,010 | High | |
| #16 | Pratt Institute-MainPrivate | $33,509 | 15 | $26,000 | High | $88,930 | High |
| #17 | Hamilton CollegePrivate | $32,925 | 20 | $17,000 | Challenging | $45,578 | High |
| #18 | Susquehanna UniversityPrivate | $32,492 | 37 | $27,000 | High | $46,359 | High |
| #19 | Ithaca CollegePrivate | $32,250 | 38 | $24,000 | High | $53,476 | High |
| #20 | York College Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $31,017 | 6 | $26,000 | High | $33,999 | High |
| #21 | $30,873 | 33 | $20,880 | High | $19,416 | High | |
| #22 | Manhattanville CollegePrivate | $30,771 | 17 | $25,000 | High | $35,904 | High |
| #23 | Brown UniversityPrivate | $30,741 | 53 | $11,428 | Challenging | $48,245 | High |
| #24 | Suny College At PotsdamPublic | $29,540 | 22 | $24,250 | High | $19,000 | High |
| #25 | $28,940 | 40 | $21,500 | High | $35,000 | 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 →
