2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Southeast Region
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong creative writing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 92 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for creative writing students.
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2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in creative writing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Creative Writing Schools
For return on investment in creative writing, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $35,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,676. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $26,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. 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%.
West Virginia University earned the #6 position for value in creative writing this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama placed #7 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for value in creative writing this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $22,113. Creative Writing graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $51,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $35,716 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #10 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Middle Georgia State University placed #11 among the best values for creative writing. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,976. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $48,207. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Arkansas placed #12 among the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans earned the #13 position for value in creative writing this year. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $32,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #14 for value in creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $55,464. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
George Mason University placed #15 among the best values for creative writing. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $37,716. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #16 for value in creative writing this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $27,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph College placed #17 among the best values for creative writing. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,310. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #18 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $27,000. Creative Writing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $24,205 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Loyola University New Orleans ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,440. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $48,040. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Hollins University earned the #21 position for value in creative writing this year. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $27,000. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $26,798. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
Emory University came in at #22 for value in creative writing this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $29,909. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
Warren Wilson College placed #23 among the best values for creative writing. Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Swannanoa. In-state tuition and fees average $41,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,260 ten years after entry. Warren Wilson College admits about 71% of applicants.
Agnes Scott College landed the #24 spot for creative writing value this year. Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,604. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,811. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $28,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Spalding University landed the #25 spot for creative writing value this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $29,862. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $27,409. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Creative Writing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for creative writing this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
