2027 Best Value Creative Writing Associate’s Degree Schools
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value creative writing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in creative writing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Creative Writing Schools
Our analysis ranked Austin Community College District the best value for a degree in creative writing in the United States. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,967 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $33,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of Southern Nevada one of the best values for creative writing. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #4 spot this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Long Beach City College earned it the #5 place for creative writing. 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, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Sinclair Community College placed #6 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. 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.
Mesa Community College placed #7 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tompkins Cortland Community College earned the #8 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the rural area of Dryden, Tompkins Cortland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,970, with out-of-state students paying around $12,855. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $20,750. Creative Writing graduates of Tompkins Cortland Community College earn a median of $48,393 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,593. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $44,293. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
Liberty University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $35,180. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Other Creative Writing Degree Levels
Explore the best-value creative writing schools at other degree levels:
View All Creative Writing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
