Most Popular Master of Fine Arts Online 2025
Our list of the most popular Master of Fine Arts online programs features accredited schools ranked by online enrollment at the graduate level.
Key Takeaways:
- Liberty University ranks #1 overall with 34 graduates from its online MFA in Creative Writing.
- Drexel University holds the best retention rate at 90% (top 8% nationally).
- Bay Path University maintains a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio (top 6% nationally).
Please review our methodology to see how we gauge program popularity.
List Of Accredited Online MFA Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty University | $10,848 | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | 23,595 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $15,288 |
| National University | 8,980 | $15,912 |
| Regent University Online | 4,806 | $12,060 |
| Lindenwood University | 1,838 | $13,224 |
| Drexel University | 1,787 | $10,680 |
| Academy of Art University | 1,182 | $29,547 |
| Bay Path University | 1,140 | $15,502 |
| Maharishi International University | 1,080 | $22,000 |
| Radford University | 1,073 | $23,700 |
| California Institute of Integral Studies | 1,012 | $25,954 |
| Full Sail University | 970 | $37,004 |
| Texas A&M University-Victoria | 765 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $14,400 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 620 | $43,155 |
| Brenau University | 565 | $15,210 |
Most Popular Master of Fine Arts Online 2025
- Online Enrollment: 48,101 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $10,848
- Location: Lynchburg (VA)
Why we like them: Liberty serves 48,101 online learners, which effectively places it at the very top nationwide for scale and gives you access to a deep, fully resourced online ecosystem for your MFA. Here, you can gain multi-genre depth in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting while also studying the business side of the field through dedicated coursework like Editing, Layout, and Publishing.
- Online Enrollment: 23,595 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $15,288
- Location: Manchester (NH)
Why we like them: SNHU's online MFA requires no residency and centers around genre fiction. You write and revise a 50,000-word novel in contemporary, YA, romance, or speculative fiction. You can stack an embedded graduate certificate into the degree, either Online Teaching of Writing or Professional Writing, and you gain exposure through agent pitches and publication opportunities with the Penmen Review.
- Online Enrollment: 8,980 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $15,912
- Location: La Jolla (CA)
Why we like them: National's online MFA has a no-residency model and the accelerated, one-course-at-a-time structure (one-month electives, two-month workshops) is unusually fast. This master's degree does require you to explore multiple genres early on (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting) before narrowing it down to one and honing your craft from there.
- Online Enrollment: 4,806 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $12,060
- Location: Virginia Beach (VA)
Why we like them: At Regent, the online MFA is taught through a Christian faith-integrated lens. For example, courses like The Call of Screenwriting explicitly explore the vocation and theology of storytelling. You also progress through a market-focused sequence, including Story Development for Production, Crafting the Episodic Teleplay, Feature-Length Screenplay, and Techniques in Screenwriting.
- Online Enrollment: 1,838 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $13,224
- Location: Saint Charles (MO)
Why we like them: In Lindenwood's MFA program online, you can declare an emphasis in Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, or Young Adult and Middle Grade Writing while pairing it with media arts electives such as Extended Realities, Motion Graphics, and even 3D Printing. Lindenwood Craft Talks with visiting writers, editorial work on The Lindenwood Review, and capstone readings helps students gain public-facing experience.
- Online Enrollment: 1,787 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $10,680
- Location: Philadelphia (PA)
Why we like them: At Drexel's MFA program, you complete three residencies, including a Professional Residency in New York that connects you directly with publishers, agents, and editors, with guided training in pitching, synopsis, and query writing. If you have published novels, the school may award up to 15 quarter credits (3 per novel) after committee review, helping you graduate even faster.
- Online Enrollment: 1,182 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $29,547
- Location: San Francisco (CA)
Why we like them: Most MFA programs require broad survey coursework, but at AAU, students train intensively in their chosen industry role. The program supports deep skill specialization in 3D character animation, modeling (organic + hard surface), visual effects, traditional / hand-drawn animation, and storyboarding & cinematic storytelling. The MFA culminates in a polished, industry-ready demo reel.
- Online Enrollment: 1,140 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $15,502
- Locations: Longmeadow (MA) (and 1 other)
Why we like them: BPU’s MFA is online-native, with courses built specifically to foster community and engagement in digital workshops rather than retrofitted from on-ground models. You can choose among three tracks, including Publishing, Teaching Creative Writing, and the unusually distinctive Narrative Medicine option, You can also gain editorial and publication experience through Multiplicity Magazine.
- Online Enrollment: 1,080 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $22,000
- Location: Fairfield (IA)
Why we like them: MIU has a consciousness-based model that formally integrates Transcendental Meditation into craft training, including a dedicated “Transcendental Meditation and the Creative Process” course and the program ethos “Meditate and Create." It does have a low-residency structure, with four week-long residencies (only the first on campus).
- Online Enrollment: 1,073 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $23,700
- Location: Radford (VA)
Why we like them: Radford offers two distinct concentrations, including Studio Art (fine art practice, exhibition focus) and Design Thinking (problem-solving, interdisciplinary design strategy). Both tracks end in a written thesis, a final oral defense, and a final exhibition or project presentation.
- Online Enrollment: 1,012 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $25,954
- Location: San Francisco (CA)
Why we like them: CIIS delivers a self-paced online MFA with required virtual kickoffs each semester, giving you high-touch orientation to set expectations and build community early. You can complete up to four mentored engagements with working artists. This multi-mentor model can be incredibly helpful at this stage in your education.
- Online Enrollment: 970 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $37,004
- Location: Winter Park (FL)
Why we like them: FSU's online MFA offers an all-in technology model — Project LaunchBox provides a MacBook, Adobe Creative Cloud, Office 365, AppleCare, and accessories, bundling the professional toolkit you need into tuition so you can start producing creatively from your first day in graduate school.
- Online Enrollment: 765 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $14,400
- Location: Victoria (TX)
Why we like them: This is a true studio-style MFA model. UHV students take four workshop courses in any combination of Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction. You can repeatedly take workshops in your primary genre to deepen voice and craft over time. This is publication-directed training, appropriate for writers seeking to produce a real book or press-ready portfolio.
- Online Enrollment: 620 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $43,155
- Location: Savannah (GA)
Why we like them: SCAD's MFA in Photography has targeted concentrations to choose from, such as Black-and-White Craft, Color Craft, Studio Craft, and Digital Printing Methodology. There's a required Graduate Critique Seminar as well, creating a strong feedback culture. You can swap portfolio refinement for a graduate internship, and you can integrate an elective to work with real clients if you wish.
- Online Enrollment: 565 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $15,210
- Locations: Multiple Locations
Why we like them: Brenau’s program uniquely prepares students for postsecondary teaching, as there's required coursework in how to teach and assess studio courses and you actually teach an undergraduate interior design class as part of the degree. This is one of the clearest interior design-to-professor pipelines available online.
FAQs About an Online MFA
Can I Do an MFA Online?
Yes, online MFA programs are widely offered from many respectable institutions around the country. Students attending these art schools can study everything from film directing to creative writing. Some of the best MFA programs will feature mostly online learning, with the option for students to participate in studios and workshops on campus.
A Master of Fine Arts online provides a unique blend of creativity and flexibility, allowing you to pursue advanced studies in creating writing, digital art, photography, and more — from any location. With a focus on individualized learning, virtual workshops, and mentorship, these online and hybrid learning programs nurture your artistic growth while accommodating your busy schedule. An online Master of Fine Arts prepares you for diverse careers in industries such as publishing, entertainment, and education.
Is an MA Better Than an MFA?
Deciding between an MA or an MFA depends on your future goals. An MA in the arts has an academic focus and is often a precursor to earning a PhD. The programs typically involve a great deal of research and writing. An MFA, on the other hand, is considered a terminal degree, and coursework is designed to develop advanced skills in a particular art form.
How Many Years Is an MFA?
Master of fine arts online programs generally take two to three years to complete. In some cases, students can accelerate some coursework and finish the degree in just two years. Meanwhile, students who choose to study at their own pace can be allotted up to three years to complete their MFA degree.
Which MFA Is Best?
The best online MFA programs are those that prepare you for the career you have in mind. If your dream is to write an award-winning novel, an MFA in creative writing may be the best way to obtain the necessary literary skills. If you aspire to create the next hot video game, an MFA in animation may be a good choice for you.
What Can I Expect From an Online Master of Fine Arts Program?
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) offers the opportunity to study a variety of artistic professions. Many artists choose to pursue a master's program because these fields are highly competitive and take significant effort to become successful. Students in an online MFA program typically devote two to three years to taking studio and theory courses while working on a thesis project. The structure of the thesis will depend on the degree's focus. For example, students working toward a creative writing degree may be required to write a complete novel, while a graphic design degree might help students develop a series of advertisements for a particular product.
Online art and design programs in areas such as illustration, painting, or fashion design may require students to scan and upload their work for critique by peers and instructors. Some online art and design degrees, such as architecture degrees or interior design degrees, have residency requirements, meaning that students must travel to campus to participate in seminars and design labs, often lasting about a week.
While most graduates use a master's degree to further develop their artistic mission and create works of art for sale or display, some enter more commercial areas of art and design, utilizing their MFA to qualify for supervisory or leadership positions. Some MFA graduates also pursue careers in teaching.
Online master's degrees in art and design are much more variable in coursework and graduation requirements than undergraduate degrees. Some graduate degree programs may require just 36 semester credits, as well as a significant amount of hands-on studio work. However, many top MFA programs may require upwards of 72 credits plus hands-on studio work, thesis projects, and/or portfolio development.
What Courses Will I Take in an Online MFA Program?
Onlines courses for an MFA can vary depending on which concentration, major, or emphasis you choose. For example, the best MFA art programs in screenwriting and directing may require students to explore courses covering the fundamentals of directing during their first year before advancing to the practicalities of production.
Overall, the curriculum of an online MFA is tailored toward your degree focus. Most coursework includes critique, studio time, and theory classes, where you'll explore the different facets of your field. Critique involves contextualizing, understanding, and assessing works of art, while studio courses allow students to practice hands-on work in a professional environment. Finally, theory classes take a look at the historical, societal, and psychological aspects of artwork.
Are you unsure about pursuing an online MFA? Explore other options on our list of popular online master's programs.
What Can You Do With an MFA Degree?
Earning an MFA gives you 2-3 years to produce hands-on work and receive feedback from professors — a process that's likely to enhance your skills. This degree may open the door to more opportunities and advanced positions that involve creative expression.
The following are some possible career paths for MFA holders:
- An MFA in Animation, Illustration, or Motion Media Design may lead to a career as a . Often employed by media production companies, these highly skilled artists use computer programs to create images, animations, and special effects for various types of digital media.
- One of the most popular online MFAs focuses on writing, and this type of master's program is designed to prepare graduates for in fiction, nonfiction, technical writing, poetry, and/or screenwriting. Depending on the type of work they do, writers may be self-employed, or they may create written content for one or more clients or employers.
- can enhance their skills by earning an MFA in graphic design. Advanced designers use various computer programs to develop and produce concepts for different types of media, such as ads, magazines, and books. They often work for design services firms or large organizations, or they can be self-employed.
- An MFA in interior design may help improve their design skills and color sense so they can create beautiful, functional interiors. Some graduates become self-employed, while others work for interior design or architectural firms.
- Prospective graduate students may wonder, "Do I need an MFA to be a professor?" The short answer is yes, at minimum. College design the curricula that shape the art courses they're teaching. Therefore, it's crucial that they first acquire a high level of education to not only understand the nuances of their given artistic subject but stay up-to-date on the latest trends and research. However, most higher education institutions require professors to have a PhD.
Is an Online MFA Worth It?
Whether a master's degree in the arts is worth the investment of time and money depends on your personal goals and circumstances, such as finances and other commitments. While earning an MFA will most likely help you hone your creative and technical skills, most critics agree that the . There are also pros and cons to earning this degree online. Opting for distance education gives you a wider range of programs to choose from without having to relocate, but the online learning environment may not give you the level of peer interaction you want.
Potential Benefits
- You can earn your degree on your own time from the comfort of your home while maintaining a healthy study-life balance.
- Online learning still allows you to hone your creative and technical skills through innovative computer programs without the need to work in a studio environment.
- You can follow your passion with a lower financial commitment than an on-campus learning environment that may require relocation and then daily transportation costs.
Potential Disadvantages
- MFA programs take an additional two- to three-year commitment after you complete your bachelor's degree.
- In most cases, an MFA alone is not a sufficient credential to become an art professor at a university.
- Some students may find that physically being in a studio with other students is more beneficial to their craft than studying remotely from home. This comes down to your personal learning preference.
So, is it worth it to get an MFA online? Alongside the financial, time commitment and personal considerations, consider the potential benefits and disadvantages of taking a masters of fine arts program online. If it seems like something you want to pursue, check out our list of the best MFAs online above.
Student Reviews of Online MFA Programs
Absolutely fantastic. The community we had together was close and their connections were diverse and influential. I was given connections to professional mentors across the country that helped me build my work and network and see how my art was received on a greater scale then my main community provided. They did a great service providing an environment to teach and to learn without feeling judged for not having a full knowledge of everything you were asked.
Review Date: 7/15/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No











