by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value creative writing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the creative writing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in creative writing in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,169 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $23,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $38,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College earned the #6 position for value in creative writing this year. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,307 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $46,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Miami University Oxford placed #7 among the best values for creative writing. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,750. Creative Writing graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $43,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Oberlin College came in at #8 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $15,501. That is a strong return on a $26,487 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.