2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Southeast Region
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for creative writing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Southeast Region
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
For return on investment in creative writing, no school beat University Of South Florida Main Campus 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $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 University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,676. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $26,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,977. Creative Writing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #5 place for creative writing. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,122. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $43,891. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Middle Georgia State University earned the #6 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University earned the #7 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,000. Creative Writing graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $35,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #8 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $55,464. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
West Virginia University placed #9 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #10 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $51,233. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans earned the #11 position for value in creative writing this year. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,048. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $32,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Randolph College landed the #12 spot for creative writing value this year. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,310. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,041. Creative Writing graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
George Mason University came in at #13 for value in creative writing this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $37,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $27,366. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $24,205. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Warren Wilson College placed #18 among the best values for creative writing. Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Swannanoa. In-state tuition and fees average $41,500. Median earnings reach $36,260 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hollins University earned the #19 position for value in creative writing this year. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Hollins University generally make around $26,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University earned the #20 position for value in creative writing this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $29,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama came in at #21 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,496. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #22 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Agnes Scott College placed #23 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the suburb of Decatur, Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,604. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,811 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $28,191. That is a strong return on a $26,811 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #24 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,120. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Spalding University earned the #25 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,000. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $27,409. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Creative Writing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in creative writing:
Narrow Creative Writing Schools by State
More Creative Writing Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
