2026 Best Value Creative Writing Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among creative writing schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $38,729. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for creative writing. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the creative writing program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 60%.

4

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for creative writing. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,360. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. 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. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $35,634 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #7 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $40,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

9

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #9 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,210 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #10 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,676 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $26,282 early in their careers. Set against $22,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

11

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

12

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria earned the #12 position for value in creative writing this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,977. Creative Writing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. 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%.

15

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

16

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #16 spot for creative writing value this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,741. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University landed the #17 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

18

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama came in at #18 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $41,357. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

19

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

20

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #20 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

21

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #21 for value in creative writing this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $33,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

22

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #22 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $41,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine earned the #23 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $43,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

24

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #24 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #25 among the best values for creative writing. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $20,000. Creative Writing graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $25,290 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.