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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Creative Writing

167 Ranked Colleges
2,979 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master's

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 6,586 people earned their degree in creative writing, making the major the 118th most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,979 creative writing graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s” ranking, we looked at 167 colleges that offer a degree in creative writing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great creative writing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the creative writing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree creative writing students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Creative Writing

#1

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
Top 20% in overall quality

Out of the 167 schools in the Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Lindenwood University landed the #1 spot on the list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 82 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Lindenwood University is also in the top of our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Lindenwood University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 13 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Creative Writing Report

#3

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
#24 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mount Saint Mary’s University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s. Mount Saint Mary’s University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MSMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSMU are $12,612, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Creative Writing at MSMU

#4

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Out of the 167 schools in the Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Hamline University landed the #4 spot on the list. Hamline is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline University are $11,577, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Hamline University

Top 20% in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

UNT also claimed a top spot on our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNT Creative Writing Report

#6

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Ashland University is a small school located in Ashland, Ohio that handed out 13 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Ashland University

Top 20% in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #7. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 10 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BGSU is also in the top of our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Creative Writing Report

With a ranking of #8, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 12 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Creative Writing at Missouri State

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 19 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Creative Writing Report

#10

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Augsburg University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #10. Augsburg University is a small school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 17 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg University are $13,165, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Creative Writing at Augsburg

Brigham Young University - Provo ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 10 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510.

Full BYU Creative Writing Report

#12

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Texas State University is a large public school situated in San Marcos, Texas. It awarded 31 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Texas State is also in the top of our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Texas State

Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Madison, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s creative writing degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FDU are $10,674, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Creative Writing at FDU

#14

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
Top 15% in overall quality

Northern Arizona University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Northern Arizona University is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 14 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NAU is also in the top of our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Read full report on Creative Writing at NAU

#15

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking. Columbia is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 26 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Chicago are $2,350, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Creative Writing at Columbia College Chicago

#16

The University of Tampa

Tampa, Florida

With a ranking of #16, The University of Tampa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. UT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT are $11,870.

Full UT Creative Writing Report

#17

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina

With a ranking of #17, Queens University of Charlotte did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified masters’s creative writing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Queens are $14,548.

Full Queens University of Charlotte Creative Writing Report

#16 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 7 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #16 spot in our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

Full UT Austin Creative Writing Report

#19

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Creighton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 8 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Creighton are $18,528, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Creighton University Creative Writing Report

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s creative writing degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State University are $25,948, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Iowa State University Creative Writing Report

#21

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #21, Oklahoma City University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Oklahoma City University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at OCU are $13,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Oklahoma City University

#22

Spalding University

Louisville, Kentucky

Spalding University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 22 masters’s creative writing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Spalding are $12,286, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Creative Writing at Spalding University

#23

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

With a ranking of #23, Southern New Hampshire University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s list. Manchester, New Hampshire is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s creative writing degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SNHU are $18,810, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Creative Writing at SNHU

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Read more about Creative Writing at California State University - Fresno

#25

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #25. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #13 spot in our “Best Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Creative Writing at UMN Twin Cities

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Creative Writing Schools for a Master’s

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Mississippi University for Women

Columbus, Mississippi

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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