2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value creative writing schools.
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2027 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in creative writing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Creative Writing Schools
Truman State University earned the #1 spot for value among creative writing schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,899. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $16,569. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #2 place for creative writing. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,407. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #5 place for creative writing. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,825 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $26,360. That is a strong return on a $24,825 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $22,593 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $44,293. Set against $22,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Dakota placed #7 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,110. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #8 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $47,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Metropolitan State University earned the #9 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,680. Creative Writing graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #10 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $54,204. Set against $23,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #11 for value in creative writing this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $26,225. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,018. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Washington University In St Louis placed #13 among the best values for creative writing. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $32,350. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Hamline University earned the #14 position for value in creative writing this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $27,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Iowa ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,862 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $29,651 early in their careers. Set against $24,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Augsburg College earned the #16 position for value in creative writing this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,319. Creative Writing graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $59,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Cornell College placed #17 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $27,000. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $18,241. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Macalester College came in at #18 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $29,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
