2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong creative writing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 195 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for creative writing students.
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Finding the Best Value Creative Writing School for You
Where you study creative writing affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Creative Writing Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Creative Writing Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the creative writing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Creative Writing Schools
For return on investment in creative writing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #2. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $13,967 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $33,514 early in their careers. Set against $13,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for creative writing. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $26,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes College Of Southern Nevada one of the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #6 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Nassau Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage landed the #8 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #9 spot for creative writing value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $21,829. Creative Writing graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $35,634 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #10 position for value in creative writing this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $16,210 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,210 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Weber State University landed the #11 spot for creative writing value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $36,205. That is a strong return on a $21,398 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #12 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,999 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $63,112 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Long Beach City College earned the #15 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Ferris State University earned the #16 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $23,508. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #17 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #19 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,676. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $26,282. Set against $22,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University placed #20 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $34,464 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #21 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $41,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Sinclair Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Francisco State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $18,500. Creative Writing graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $32,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #24 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Creative Writing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s creative writing value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Creative Writing. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 195 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 195 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
