2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in Arizona
[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.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value creative writing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in Arizona
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
Our analysis ranked Chandler Gilbert Community College the best value for a degree in creative writing in Arizona. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. 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 $10,447 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #2 spot this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,114 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $44,411. Set against $30,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $39,899. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $34,240. Set against $24,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
More Creative Writing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
