2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in California

1

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #1 spot for value among creative writing schools in California. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for creative writing. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $16,210 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $16,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

4

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

A rank of #4 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $32,862 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #6 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $20,000. Creative Writing graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $23,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

7

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #7 among the best values for creative writing. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $41,328. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

8

Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St Marys College landed the #8 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $27,555. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $70,010. Set against $27,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

9

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands landed the #9 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

10

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University earned the #10 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $28,169. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #11 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $26,636 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

12

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California came in at #12 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

13

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #13 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,935. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $51,069. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

14

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Students borrow a median of $24,027 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $33,228 early in their careers. Set against $24,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.

15

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts came in at #15 for value in creative writing this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. In-state tuition and fees average $58,996. Students borrow a median of $26,031 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $13,661. That is a strong return on a $26,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 32%.

16

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #16 spot for creative writing value this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $32,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.

17

Dominican University Of California
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University Of California ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Rafael. In-state tuition and fees average $52,161. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Dominican University Of California earn a median of $70,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.