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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in Pennsylvania

9 Colleges in the United States
$25,566 Avg Student Debt
$74,097 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Creative Writing Badge [Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for creative writing students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in Pennsylvania

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the creative writing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Creative Writing Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg, our #1 best value for creative writing in Pennsylvania. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,710, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg generally make around $35,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg admits about 95% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown one of the best values for creative writing. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $35,700. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

3

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seton Hill University earned it the #4 place for creative writing. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,944. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,556. Creative Writing graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $53,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,556 median debt. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for creative writing. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.

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6
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University landed the #6 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $27,390. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.

7
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University placed #7 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,601. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $33,352. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.

8
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,850. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $19,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best values for creative writing. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,349. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $39,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

10
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in creative writing this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #11 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $53,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

12
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,260. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $65,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

13
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #13 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $67,556. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

14

Franklin And Marshall College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $23,083. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $33,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franklin And Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants.

15
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University came in at #15 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,951. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $64,331. That is a strong return on a $25,951 median debt. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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