2026 Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #1 spot for value among creative writing schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $53,079. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

3

Normandale Community College
Bloomington, MN

A rank of #3 makes Normandale Community College one of the best values for creative writing. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $20,162. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $26,899. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $16,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #5. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,407. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #6 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $24,825. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $26,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

7

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #7 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

9

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $47,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University landed the #10 spot for creative writing value this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $28,663. Creative Writing graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,018 early in their careers. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

11

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $26,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University earned the #12 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $39,558. That is a strong return on a $26,680 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #13 for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,862 to complete the creative writing program here. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $29,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,862 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

14

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #14 for value in creative writing this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $27,167. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

15

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis landed the #15 spot for creative writing value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $32,350. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

16

Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College landed the #16 spot for creative writing value this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,104. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $29,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.

17

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #17 position for value in creative writing this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.