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2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid

213 Ranked Colleges
6,817 Degrees Awarded
$11,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 6,817 people earned their degree in creative writing, making the major the 120th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 213 colleges that offered a degree in creative writing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent creative writing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the creative writing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Creative Writing Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Creative Writing (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 58 ’s creative writing degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Creative Writing Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $12,017 for Creative Writing students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Creative Writing Report

2
CCNY crest
The City College of New York
New York, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The City College of New York. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. The City College of New York is a fairly large school located in New York, New York that handed out 20 ’s creative writing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,805 for Creative Writing students with aid per year to attend CCNY.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CCNY Creative Writing Report

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also took the #17 spot in our “Best Creative Writing Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,377 for Creative Writing students with aid per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Purdue

4
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brooklyn College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid. Brooklyn College is located in Brooklyn, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Brooklyn College is $3,067 for Creative Writing students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Brooklyn College Creative Writing Report

5

Out of the 213 schools in the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #5 spot on the list. UTEP is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $9,000 for Creative Writing students with aid.

Read more about Creative Writing at The University of Texas at El Paso

6

With a ranking of #6, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 12 ’s creative writing degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Creative Writing Schools” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $16,002 for creative writing students with aid per year to attend Iowa State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Iowa State University

7

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,230 for Creative Writing students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full California State University - Fresno Creative Writing Report

8
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UMSL is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for Creative Writing students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Creative Writing at UMSL

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 54 ’s creative writing degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #14 spot in our “Best Creative Writing Schools” ranking. It costs about $19,401 for creative writing students with aid per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa Creative Writing Report

10

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 86 ’s creative writing degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Austin also took the #23 spot in our “Best Creative Writing Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Austin is $18,350 for Creative Writing students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Creative Writing at UT Austin

11

With a ranking of #11, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $3,743 for creative writing students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Creative Writing at UT Rio Grande Valley

12
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Marcos, Texas, this large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s creative writing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Texas State University is $14,887 for Creative Writing students with aid.

Read full report on Creative Writing at Texas State

13
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NAU is also in the top of our “Best Creative Writing Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Arizona University is $14,308 for creative writing students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Northern Arizona University Creative Writing Report

14

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNM is $14,424 for creative writing students with aid.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Creative Writing Report

15
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

Queens College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. QC is located in Queens, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Queens College is $3,469 for creative writing students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Creative Writing at QC

16
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $5,135 for Creative Writing students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Creative Writing at University of Florida

17

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s creative writing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Creative Writing Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for creative writing students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Creative Writing at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

18
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 16 ’s creative writing degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, NC State also did well on our “Best Creative Writing Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $16,411 for creative writing students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full North Carolina State University Creative Writing Report

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s creative writing degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,618 for Creative Writing students with aid per year to attend UCF.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Central Florida Creative Writing Report

20
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Creative Writing Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $13,845 for creative writing students with aid per year to attend San Diego State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full San Diego State University Creative Writing Report

21

University of California - Riverside landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s creative writing degrees to 102 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,822 for Creative Writing students with aid per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UCR Creative Writing Report

22
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #22, University of Houston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,721 for Creative Writing students with aid per year to attend UH.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Creative Writing at UH

23

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $8,346 for Creative Writing students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Creative Writing Report

24

California State University - Long Beach landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 10 ’s creative writing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,054 for creative writing students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Creative Writing at California State University - Long Beach

25

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 125 ’s creative writing degrees to qualified students.

Pitt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Creative Writing Schools” list. It costs about $27,058 for creative writing students with aid per year to attend Pitt.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Creative Writing at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

Rest of the Best 32 in Best Value Creative Writing Schools For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 32 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Wellesley crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, Massachusetts
31
32
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Notes and References

References

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