2023 Best Colleges with Professional and Technical Writing Degrees in America

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,308 reviews

Junior: Work hard, play hard! That’s life at Penn. Strengths - Great approachable Professors, almost any class or activity you can think of, wonderful diversity, beautiful campus. Lots of opportunities to study abroad. Greek life is active, but not necessary to have a rich social life. Tuition, room and board are expensive but there’s lots of aid available. Highly recommended, but very competitive admission rate ( around 8% ). Suggest applying Early Decision if Penn’s your first choice ( 18% acceptance rate ).... Read 1,308 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $24,167

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,446 reviews

Junior: Northwestern is a wonderful academic institution. The professors and one of a kind programs are incredibly engaging. Northwestern provides students with so many opportunities within their undergraduate career. The campus is in an ideal location with its proximity to Chicago and lakefront access. Additionally, Northwestern has hundreds of clubs that fit any and all interests. The only downsides to Northwestern include the competitive atmosphere, cold winters, and lackluster party scene. If you are someone who is willing to brave the cold and explore Chicago for your fun and parties, then Northwestern is the place for you!... Read 1,446 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $28,344

• SAT range 1430-1550

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  1,521 reviews

Sophomore: WashU is an incredible school! I am amazed everyday by the strong work ethic that all students here display, it serves as motivation for me as well. Professors are typically caring and accessible to their students, ensuring that everyone gets the most out of their time and education. Resources are plentiful all over campus and there are definitely a wide range of organizations and student groups to help every individual obtain a sense of belonging. Additionally, campus itself is beautiful, there are various dining options, dorms are spacious and mattresses are extremely comfortable. I would strongly recommend visiting the school if possible!... Read 1,521 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 16%

• Net price $27,233

• SAT range 1480-1560

• Pittsburgh, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,441 reviews

Alum: Going to school at Carnegie Mellon University was one of the hardest experiences of my life thus far. During most of the journey I resented the challenges and felt weighed down by the work and expectations of those around me. However, looking back on it all I wouldn't change a thing. Carnegie Mellon was flexible with me as I changed majors and took time off to reevaluate my priorities. They were generous with financial aid and scholarships. They are obviously still a work in progress but so many individuals that work at CMU care so deeply about their students and their learning and living experiences. I was supported in so many ways at CMU that made the challenging experiences manageable. Everyone will say it will be hard work at Carnegie Mellon and that is absolutely true but it challenges you to grow and be a better, stronger, smarter person!... Read 1,441 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $36,983

• SAT range 1460-1560

• Austin, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  6,514 reviews

Sophomore: I think a lot of the campus resources are great, and I love my classes so far. A lot of the student organizations that you can join have long waitlists, so it’s good to plan early on the type of extracurricular environment you’d like to be a part of. The buildings on campus range from stellar architectural masterpieces to modern works of art. There are very few things lacking, but part of the package deal of living in Austin is the construction. The whole city, including a lot of campus as of now, is hard to navigate with all of the work being done. It’s very important to do the absolute utmost asap, as the course load and competitive environment encourage daily task building. Doing work as soon as possible is practically the only way to be able to experience social events. If you’ve studies in a smaller environment, especially for intro classes, you’ll run into some kinks trying to adapt to the larger class sizes. What starts here changes the world!... Read 6,514 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 32%

• Net price $16,892

• SAT range 1210-1470

• Athens, GA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  5,603 reviews

Freshman: UGA is beyond incredible. It is such a competitive school, and has the feel of a friendly, close knit community. The campus could not be in a better area. Athens GA is one of the top places to live in! The day and night scene is incredible. Great restaurants, fantastic bars, and wonderful activities. The academic side of UGA is astounding! The professors go above and beyond for each student. The resources UGA offers is amazing. I had access to laser cutters, 3D printers, and more! The things taught were so detailed, taught clearly, and fun! UGA is the university to go to for any major! And don’t even get me started on the dinning halls. UGA is known for some of the best in the country. Ice cream bars, cooked to order stir fry, fried chicken, veg bar, Philly cheese steaks, milkshakes, pizza, burgers, healthy salad bars, and just so much more. The quality is really good! UGA is just perfect across the board. Hope you get in if you are trying too! It’s tough but so worth it!... Read 5,603 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 48%

• Net price $16,580

• SAT range 1250-1460

• University Park, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  7,304 reviews

Junior: I chose Penn State University because of the multitude of research and other science-related opportunities that are afforded to you when attending a large university. I also love the overall atmosphere regarding both my studies and social life. Regarding my studies, there are so many resources available to help me when needed including tutoring services, study groups, and more. When I'm not focusing on my studies, there are many events that I can go to for fun including fairs, lectures, concerts, and more. I have not given Penn State all five stars because they offer little financial aid to middle class incomes, however, I knew how much tuition was when accepting and was prepared to take out loans. Overall, love attending Penn State because of all the educational opportunities and fun events!... Read 7,304 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 56%

• Net price $26,151

• SAT range 1160-1360

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  4,517 reviews

Junior: Love the campus! The coursework is rigorous no matter your major, but there's tons of classes that are so niche and interesting to explore! This school will give you a challenge for sure! Having to apply to your major is a huge downside-- there's a decent chance you might not get to study what you want if the major is competitive and your GPA and statements aren't competitive enough (there's just too many students). Similarly, you can't take major classes until you get accepted into the major (which usually isn't until your junior year), so that can delay the graduation process if you don't schedule and plan your degree right. Because of the large student body, everyone is clawing for everything-- registration for classes is a nightmare, long lines at dining halls and events, etc. (you can expect to sometimes wait more than an hour for food, applying to housing/registration takes hours as well because the server is being filled with so many students).... Read 4,517 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 56%

• Net price $9,661

• SAT range 1200-1470

• West Lafayette, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  4,944 reviews

Sophomore: I absolutely loved Purdue during my Freshman year. I will be a sophomore in the fall and am very excited. Purdue has already opened so many doors for me. I was able to study abroad in Spain as a freshman this summer. It was a truly incredible experience. I was placed in a double with A/C and community bathrooms. Community bathrooms are not as bad as you may think. There were 6 showers on the floor, 7 counting the one in the guest bathroom on each floor. Easily more than 40 people lived on my floor, and I only had to wait once for a shower to open up all year long. The bathrooms were very clean. The dorm lobbies have things like pool tables, ping-pong tables, great study areas, and so much more. There are a lot of great clubs to join, and there is the option to start your own club. The food was pretty good. A lot of fried options though. Sporting events are very exciting to attend. Purdue has a lot to offer from a great degree to a true college experience. Boiler Up!... Read 4,944 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $12,294

• SAT range 1170-1420

• Pittsburgh, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  4,229 reviews

Junior: I love the community of intelligent, creative, unique, and genuine students I am surrounded by at the University of Pittsburgh. The atmosphere is collaborative rather than competitive, and it fosters a true desire to learn. Our course selections are wide and interesting; there are some really niche offerings that anybody would enjoy. For the most part, my professors have been engaging and passionate, however I have had a few here and there who were either poor lecturers or had overly high expectations compared to the lower quality of instruction they provided. I think on-campus housing options could be slightly better, but I had a good experience in my freshman year dorm. Food options have definitely been evolving for the better since the start of my time at Pitt!... Read 4,229 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $22,346

• SAT range 1250-1420

• Tampa, FL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  7,295 reviews

Junior: The University of South Florida is a great place to meet people from all over the world and experience new cultures. The Tampa campus is huge comprising approximately 50,000 students so be prepared to face lines sometimes. Although most of my classes so far had 100+ students in one section, it really depends on the major that you are going for. With that being said, I believe USF invests a lot of resources to maintain the campus cleaned and modern, with new buildings coming up each year. I have had great moments living on campus, but there are plenty of options to stay off campus that are more affordable and convient (walkable distance to the campus). I also completely encourage you to take advantage of the other campuses that USF (St. Petersburg and Sarasota) offers and take classes in the summer close to downtown and the beach!... Read 7,295 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 49%

• Net price $10,004

• SAT range 1160-1320

• East Lansing, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  5,975 reviews

Senior: Best University academically and athletically! MSU is rated among the 100 Best Global Universities, according to Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings, 2021. The university has some of the best freshman retention and graduate placement rates across the country. Support services are available to students to help every step of the way. No matter where students take their MSU journey, they will have a strong support network that is invested in their success. MSU has 37 undergraduate and graduate programs ranked in the top 25 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2021), including nine No.1-ranked program The MSU campus is situated in East Lansing, regarded as one of America’s friendliest cities, whilst being near the capital of Michigan. On their doorstep, students can enjoy stunning nature and vibrant arts and culture, or cheer on the legendary MSU football team.... Read 5,975 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $16,655

• SAT range 1100-1300

• Fort Worth, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  1,677 reviews

Senior: TCU is an incredible school! I transferred here from my community college and knew immediately it was the right choice. It's big enough that you don't feel that you know every single person walking campus, but you still see friends daily. The class sizes are average to small giving wonderful opportunity for creating friendships in class. Further, the small class sizes allow for a good relationship with professors who truly are here to see you succeed. It also works over time to bring in guest speakers and create wonderful connections for students through job fairs, guest speakers, and strong student to professor relationships. I would like to see more diversity at TCU as well as more engagement with the greater Fort Worth community.... Read 1,677 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 48%

• Net price $40,220

• SAT range 1110-1320

• Amherst, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  3,719 reviews

Senior: I transferred to UMASS Amherst last spring halfway through my junior year, and I’ll say that it was the best decision of my life. I had gotten into UMASS as an incoming freshman but I was too scared to get out of my comfort zone and decided to go to a smaller school. But after almost three academic years I felt like that regret grow until I finally made the big decision to transfer! I’ve made so many great friends and I absolutely love my classes where I feel like the professors really enjoy what they are teaching! There’s also so many opportunities at the school and a lot of support systems put in place that I couldn’t have even imagined! Going to UMASS was the best decision of my life, and I can’t believe I’m going to be graduating from my dream school this spring!... Read 3,719 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $22,505

• SAT range 1200-1390

• Tempe, AZ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  11,395 reviews

Sophomore: Despite the bad "party school" reputation, ASU is fantastic school to attend. I'm currently in my sophomore year and I can definitely say I'm receiving a high quality education. One thing I would like to see improved is the efficiency in my specific program. I'm a graphic design/ visual communications major and students across the board have issues with our print lab. The print lab is something we have to use constantly for projects. These projects have to be approved by professors so there's no getting around printing. While we have access to library printers, these do not print with high quality. That being said, printers are clearly a necessity for most if not all design major student. We pay a lot of money to be here and if we can't simply print projects in the facility provided then the facility becomes practically useless. If the print lab functioned better it would relieve a lot of stress on students. This seems like a small issue but would be extremely helpful!... Read 11,395 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $14,653

• SAT range 1100-1320

• Cincinnati, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  3,956 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Cincinnati is a great school to attend especially if you live in the state of Ohio. I am in my sophomore year and still love it. I would recommend the school to anyone that takes an interest especially if it is in the engineering field. While some material is challenging, the engineering classes are good to have for any engineering background. The main reason I came was the co-op program which is an amazing opportunity to learn about what engineers do as well as be able to pay off student loans. Overall, this school has given me a great experience. Go Bearcats!... Read 3,956 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $22,767

• SAT range 1120-1330

• Ames, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  3,867 reviews

Junior: Iowa State can look like a very intimidating college from the outside but I promise once you get here it's rewarding! The campus has such a lovely atmosphere for students. While it is a large campus, between the CyRide and plenty of walking paths, it is very easy to find your way around. Overall, Iowa State is a place I would recommend to anyone with even the slightest interest in this university and campus.... Read 3,867 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $16,105

• SAT range 1010-1310

• Sarasota, FL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  96 reviews

Alum: I had an extraordinary time at USFSM! While they did not have dorms, they made up for it in events and camaraderie. There is always something going on at USFSM - whether it is during Week of Welcome, or Relaxation week during Finals, or presentations, the campus is buzzing. Everyone at USFSM, including the chancellor, is easily accessible. Everyone wants you to be successful, and provides you with the tools to do so. You can join student government, any club you can imagine, or nothing at all. There was never a time where I felt I wasn't welcomed. There are no "cliques" either. Everyone was friendly and approachable.... Read 96 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 24%

• Net price $2,734

• SAT range 1160-1290

• Granville, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  686 reviews

Freshman: Denison provides everything I need and more. The opportunities are endless both on campus and off. There is always something going on, every night of the week. The staff and professors are encouraging and supportive and my classmates are collaborative, not competitive. Music department lets you play without being a music major. The town of Granville has terrific food and there are shuttles that take you into Columbus. There are parties if you want but plenty of other activities, too. I always feel safe. Some of the dorms are old school but improvements happen every year. I have never been around such friendly people before and the academics are challenging but very manageable.... Read 686 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 28%

• Net price $39,808

• SAT range 1220-1430

• Lubbock, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  5,171 reviews

Senior: Texas Tech is home! I've grown up in Lubbock all of my life. The city has changed many times over the years, but Texas Tech has thankfully not! The student environment involving athletic events is electric. We're definitely one of the rowdiest groups in college sports. The professors are usually really helpful, and actually want you to succeed at what you do. I've made contacts outside the university and found what I was truly passionate about here. Only because my professors pushed me outside of my comfort zones. It's also an extremely veteran friendly school. Most professors want to assist veterans in transitioning from active duty to civilian life. I've met some of my best friends here as well!... Read 5,171 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $15,452

• SAT range 1070-1240

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  288 reviews

Sophomore: I love going here and living in New York City! I have everything I need a few minute walk away. I’ve only been here one semester, and I’ve learned so much. I’ve made so many great friends in my classes. Teachers are always so helpful with whatever questions I have. They really care about the student. I love that the classes are small so I can have more individualized attention during classes.... Read 288 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $35,603

• SAT range 1140-1410

• Denver, CO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  1,827 reviews

Graduate Student: The University of Colorado Denver has a uniquely diverse and community-oriented campus that is made up of many cultures, backgrounds and orientations with a dedicated drive to engage everyone with one another for a satisfying college journey. There are various fields and areas of studies to choose from and passionate professors and advisors that will excel at guiding you towards the right direction of your education and fundamentally, career path. I got my undergrad degree and now pursuing my graduate degree from the same campus. I feel like I have emotionally, physically, critically and most importantly, professionally grown with the university and utilized the many resources that come with the experience. It is one of the best investments I've made and recommend anybody that is considering this university to go for it! You will not regret it.... Read 1,827 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 66%

• Net price $15,585

• SAT range 1000-1210

• Tucson, AZ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  6,833 reviews

Alum: The University of Arizona has a wide variety of majors to choose from, lots of on-campus activities, and an excellent local foodie scene if you know how to look beyond the Student Union! Some of the STEM departments leave qualities to be desired, particularly physics, chemistry, and math. The physics department was on probation the entire time I attended, and for good reason. Regardless, it is still a very good choice for students who are looking to pursue medicine, research, space sciences, engineering, and more. I can't speak to the arts majors, but I've never heard many complaints, and the college of law is very well respected.... Read 6,833 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $15,620

• SAT range 1090-1350

• Harrisonburg, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  3,128 reviews

Sophomore: Both of my older siblings attended and graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor's in Business! Whenever I visited the area I loved how connected the university was with the town. It's very lively and roaming with many college students! I am soon going to attend and pursue my major in Nursing this upcoming Fall! I'm looking forward to giving it my all as I've already connected with students and faculty about pursuing my education. They were there for me every step of the way and relieved the stress I had about classes and schedules. I have friends who also attend the university which makes the environment even more comfortable. I am looking forward to becoming more independent and being pushed by this new environment to put myself out there by making new friends, connecting with teachers, and passing my classes! :)... Read 3,128 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 80%

• Net price $18,592

• SAT range 1120-1280

• Waco, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  4,434 reviews

Alum: Baylor is an excellent institution! From academic rigor and excellence, to a beautiful campus and strong community bonds, Baylor has all the essential elements of a great university! I lived in the Honors Residential College on campus for my first 2 years and gained life long friends through that experience and also in my classes. The professors were experts in their fields and genuinely cared about their students' well being and intellectual advancement. I would highly recommend Baylor University!... Read 4,434 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 68%

• Net price $40,133

• SAT range 1200-1380