Compare 135 Writing, General. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $43,157. Top programs: $81,253+.
With top graduates earning $81,253, Writing, General. stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $38K across 135 ranked programs—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Topping the list, University of Richmond's Writing program delivers $81,253 in median earnings—well above the $43,157 field average. Close behind, the University of Utah (a public school admitting 86% of applicants) posts $75,686, and Carnegie Mellon lands at $71,205. The lesson: program outcomes in writing track program quality, not a school's overall reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Johns Hopkins writing graduates borrow just $10,250 in student loans and face a 3.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families weighing parent loans too, University of Utah leads with a 10.5% combined burden—rated 'Good'—while carrying $75,686 in graduate earnings.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of RichmondPrivate | $81,253 | 23 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,512 | Manageable |
| #2 | University Of UtahPublic | $75,686 | 27 | $19,000 | Excellent | $18,886 | Good |
| #3 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $71,205 | 21 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Challenging |
| #4 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $69,673 | 15 | $22,869 | Excellent | $25,950 | Manageable |
| #5 | $69,373 | 53 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $68,522 | 22 | $27,000 | Good | $61,178 | High | |
| #7 | $68,314 | 49 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #8 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $67,102 | 71 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Challenging |
| #9 | Wabash CollegePrivate | $65,605 | 28 | $27,000 | Good | $28,000 | Challenging |
| #10 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $63,503 | 29 | $10,250 | Excellent | $29,048 | Manageable |
| #11 | Loyola University MarylandPrivate | $62,745 | 23 | $27,000 | Good | $50,344 | High |
| #12 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $62,473 | 20 | $23,940 | Good | $45,500 | High |
| #13 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $62,383 | 21 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Manageable |
| #14 | $61,676 | 8 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $61,474 | 93 | $23,000 | Good | $34,512 | Challenging |
| #16 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $61,159 | 23 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #17 | $60,415 | 182 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #18 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $60,291 | 15 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Challenging |
| #19 | $58,918 | 68 | $21,500 | Good | $13,743 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $58,484 | 48 | $21,000 | Good | $22,500 | Manageable |
| #21 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $57,179 | 46 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Challenging |
| #22 | $57,012 | 230 | $24,250 | Good | $35,031 | High | |
| #23 | $56,662 | 26 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #24 | $56,244 | 84 | $18,450 | Excellent | $13,000 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $55,361 | 33 | $20,500 | Good | $21,716 | Challenging |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
