Cheapest Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Morris stands out among Minnesota's Rhetoric and Composition programs with a net price of just $9,110, making it the most affordable option by a significant margin. This dramatic cost advantage becomes even more striking when compared to private options like Macalester College at $29,980 net price. Minnesota's job market offers strong opportunities for writing graduates, particularly with major employers like Target headquarters requiring skilled communicators for marketing, corporate communications, and content strategy roles. The state's 15 programs span a wide earnings range from $21,508 to $38,498, with the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates achieving the highest median earnings despite charging only $17,139 net price. Public institutions dominate the affordable end of the spectrum, with four of the five cheapest programs offered by state universities that maintain acceptance rates above 70 percent.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$29,205

Avg. Program Earnings

64.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
3	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
4	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
5	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
6	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
7	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
8	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
9	North Central University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,574	$29,460	63.6%	90.8%
10	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
11	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
12	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018	$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
13	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
14	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
15	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
16	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris such an strong value for writing students?

Morris charges just $9,110 net price while maintaining a solid 61.90% graduation rate and 77.66% acceptance rate. The campus serves as a public liberal arts college within the University of Minnesota system, offering small class sizes typically found at private institutions. Students benefit from the same University of Minnesota degree recognition while paying significantly less than the Twin Cities campus.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs?

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn $38,498 median salary at a $17,139 net price, delivering strong return on investment. In contrast, Morris graduates earn $21,508 with the lowest net price at $9,110, while Bemidji State graduates earn similar amounts at $21,781 with a $17,050 net price. The earnings gap of nearly $17,000 between the highest and lowest reflects different career paths and geographic factors.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private writing programs?

Public institutions dominate the affordable tier, with six schools charging under $20,000 net price compared to zero private colleges in that range. Hamline University represents the cheapest private option at $21,385 net price, while Macalester College tops the list at $29,980. The average private school costs roughly $10,000 more annually than public alternatives, though some offer competitive graduation rates above 75%.

Where do Rhetoric and Composition graduates find employment opportunities in Minnesota?

Target Corporation headquarters in Minneapolis hires writing graduates for content marketing, corporate communications, and brand strategy positions. UnitedHealth Group requires skilled writers for healthcare communications, policy documentation, and consumer education materials. The Twin Cities metro area also supports numerous advertising agencies, publishing houses, and nonprofits that value strong writing skills, with many graduates earning $30,000+ starting salaries.

More Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Rankings

Best Value Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Minnesota Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Under $20,000 in Minnesota

All Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Programs Best Colleges in Minnesota Best Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Minnesota

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.