2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

3

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $13,967. Creative Writing graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $33,514 early in their careers. Set against $13,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for creative writing. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $26,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

7

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #7 for value in creative writing this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.

8

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #8 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $15,598. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $23,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

9

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #9 spot for creative writing value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $35,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

10

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #10 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #11 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $15,636. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $40,280 early in their careers. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

12

College Of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

College Of Southern Nevada came in at #12 for value in creative writing this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

14

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #14 position for value in creative writing this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $16,210 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $42,421. Set against $16,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

15

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #15 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,398 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $36,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,398 median debt.

16

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #16 among the best values for creative writing. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,676. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $26,282. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

17

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

18

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #18 among the best values for creative writing. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

19

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #19 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $42,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

20

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #20 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. 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 University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

21

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #21 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $27,533. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

22

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #22 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #23 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,943. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

24

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #25 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $17,872 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $35,019. That is a strong return on a $17,872 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.