2027 Best Value Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 111 schools to find the best return on investment for creative writing students.
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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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in creative writing in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,360 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $35,634. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #5. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,210 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #6 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $63,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. 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. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #8 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $14,694. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #9 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,676. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $26,282 early in their careers. Set against $22,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
San Jose State University landed the #10 spot for creative writing value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. 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 Houston Victoria placed #11 among the best values for creative writing. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University placed #12 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. 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. Creative Writing graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $41,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #13 position for value in creative writing this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine earned the #14 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University came in at #15 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $33,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #16 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama landed the #17 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #18 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #19 spot for creative writing value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $27,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #20 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $21,255. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
San Diego State University placed #21 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #22 spot for creative writing value this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $48,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore came in at #23 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $56,837 early in their careers. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Northern Arizona University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $21,645. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $39,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Eastern Washington University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $29,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Creative Writing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in creative writing:
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 list is compiled 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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 111 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.
