16 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Programs
| # | School | Net Price | Program Earnings | In-State Tuition | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia
|
$11,889 | $25,774 | $5,751 | 41.7% | 87.8% |
| 2 |
Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, Georgia
|
$21,735 | $34,526 | $45,806 | 53.9% | 71.0% |
| 3 |
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, Georgia
|
$18,809 | $25,194 | $8,998 | 61.6% | 80.0% |
| 4 |
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
|
$16,531 | $21,508 | $5,905 | 52.1% | 88.9% |
| 5 |
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
|
$23,911 | $23,649 | $60,774 | 91.8% | 11.4% |
| 6 |
Agnes Scott College
Decatur, Georgia
|
$24,224 | $21,052 | $48,150 | 70.5% | 66.5% |
| 7 |
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Tifton, Georgia
|
$6,061 | $3,195 | 29.1% | 67.0% | |
| 8 |
Albany State University
Albany, Georgia
|
$14,251 | $5,934 | 22.8% | ||
| 9 |
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia
|
$35,115 | $26,446 | 47.8% | 56.3% | |
| 10 |
Berry College
Mount Berry, Georgia
|
$21,568 | $40,416 | 73.9% | 66.3% | |
| 11 |
Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
|
$24,832 | $40,464 | 71.9% | 84.1% | |
| 12 |
Mercer University
Macon, Georgia
|
$22,350 | $40,890 | 73.4% | 74.7% | |
| 13 |
Piedmont University
Demorest, Georgia
|
$20,893 | $30,680 | 41.5% | 64.4% | |
| 14 |
Reinhardt University
Waleska, Georgia
|
$27,769 | $28,420 | 35.6% | 62.3% | |
| 15 |
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, Georgia
|
$45,450 | $40,595 | 70.5% | 81.7% | |
| 16 |
Young Harris College
Young Harris, Georgia
|
$11,008 | $32,305 | 45.7% | 77.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What explains the huge gap between cheapest and most expensive programs?
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College costs $6,061 while Savannah College of Art and Design reaches $45,450, creating a $39,389 difference. Public institutions benefit from state funding and HOPE Scholarship coverage, keeping costs down significantly. Private colleges like Oglethorpe and Agnes Scott charge $21,735 and $24,224 respectively. The price gap reflects different educational models rather than program quality differences.
How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Georgia?
Emory leads with a 91.80% graduation rate despite moderate net costs of $23,911. Berry College and Mercer University both exceed 73% graduation rates while charging around $21,000-22,000 net. Abraham Baldwin's rock-bottom pricing comes with just a 29.10% completion rate. Higher-priced private institutions generally show stronger retention and completion metrics.
Does Emory University justify its reputation given these earnings numbers?
Emory graduates earn $23,649 early in their careers, ranking third among Georgia programs despite the school's elite 11.35% acceptance rate. Oglethorpe University actually produces higher earners at $34,526 with a more accessible 70.99% admission rate. Emory's value proposition relies more on long-term career prospects and alumni networks than immediate post-graduation salaries. The $21,000 average debt load remains manageable compared to earning potential.
Where do Georgia's public universities rank for writing program value?
Columbus State University leads public options with $11,889 net cost and $25,774 earnings, creating strong immediate value. Georgia College & State University costs $18,809 but delivers the highest public graduation rate at 61.60%. Georgia Southern offers the lowest in-state tuition at $5,905 though graduation rates lag at 52.10%. Public programs consistently undercut private alternatives by $10,000-15,000 annually.
More Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Rankings
Related
Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.