2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for creative writing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Southwest 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
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among creative writing schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $13,967. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $33,514. Set against $13,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #4 place for creative writing. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $63,112. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Mesa Community College, which ranked #5. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $13,750. Creative Writing graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston landed the #6 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #7 spot for creative writing value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $39,899. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture placed #8 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,920 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture generally make around $29,835. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #9 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $30,114 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,411. Set against $30,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #10 spot for creative writing value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $14,363. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $33,999. That is a strong return on a $14,363 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #11 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $19,424 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $48,982. Set against $19,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arizona landed the #12 spot for creative writing value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $34,240. Set against $24,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $21,765 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $37,618. Set against $21,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #14 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #15 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position for value in creative writing this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $21,323. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $60,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University came in at #17 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $28,022. Creative Writing graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. Set against $28,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
