2026 Best Value Creative Writing Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among creative writing schools in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $19,500. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $20,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

A rank of #2 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

3

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for creative writing. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,398 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $36,205. Set against $21,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,676. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $26,282. Set against $22,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

5

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $19,819. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $63,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

6

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #6 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $32,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,872 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $29,758. Set against $17,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

8

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in creative writing this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $20,038. Creative Writing graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $25,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in creative writing this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

10

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $47,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #12 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $23,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

13

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College landed the #13 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.

14

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #14 among the best values for creative writing. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,477. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

15

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #15 spot for creative writing value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $41,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #16 for value in creative writing this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $21,765. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

17

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University came in at #17 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $16,569. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

18

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University landed the #18 spot for creative writing value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $35,716. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

19

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #19 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,825 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $26,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

20

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #20 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,250. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $24,225. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

21

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #21 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,500. Creative Writing graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $34,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

22

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $38,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

23

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,728 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $43,524. Set against $13,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $26,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $21,726. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $25,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.