2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for creative writing students.
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2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in creative writing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Creative Writing Schools
For return on investment in creative writing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $26,301. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for creative writing. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #5 place for creative writing. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore landed the #7 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $29,681. 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. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #8 for value in creative writing this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,728 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $49,461. That is a strong return on a $13,728 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $28,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Tompkins Cortland Community College placed #10 among the best values for creative writing. Tompkins Cortland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Dryden. Students from in state pay about $6,970 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,855. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $48,393. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #11 spot for creative writing value this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $20,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #12 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #13 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $34,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #14 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $35,700. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Students from in state pay about $14,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg generally make around $35,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Suny At Purchase College placed #16 among the best values for creative writing. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,250. Creative Writing graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $16,556 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #17 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,065 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $35,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,065 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #18 position for value in creative writing this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $24,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University came in at #19 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,488. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $52,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #20 for value in creative writing this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,258. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $36,959. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,242. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $56,767. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Seton Hill University earned the #23 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,556 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $53,485. Set against $26,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,951. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Creative Writing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for creative writing this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
