by our College Data Analytics Team
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for creative writing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in creative writing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in creative writing, no school beat Mesa Community College this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #2 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $39,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $30,114. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,411. That is a strong return on a $30,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.