by our College Data Analytics Team
[Creative Writing](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong creative writing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for creative writing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the creative writing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Normandale Community College, our #1 best value for creative writing in Minnesota. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $20,162. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the creative writing program here. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $38,407. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in creative writing will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #4. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the creative writing program here. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $26,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Metropolitan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #5 spot this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $26,680 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
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Hamline University earned the #6 position for value in creative writing this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for creative writing graduates is $25,000. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $27,167. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Creative Writing graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $29,487 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value creative writing schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Creative Writing graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Early-career creative writing graduates make about $65,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.