2026 Most Affordable Online MFA in Creative Writing
Learn about the cheapest online MFAs in creative writing, ranked by manually verified cost data.
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The cheapest online MFA in creative writing offers a flexible, affordable way for writers to sharpen their craft while earning a respected credential. These fully online writing programs blend workshops, literary analysis, and genre-specific techniques to help you grow as a storyteller.
Key Takeaways:
- Creative writing MFAs have historically been associated with expensive private universities, but Texas A&M - Victoria, Arkansas at Monticello, and UTEP all keep annual tuition under ~$9,000 in-state, creating entry points for aspiring writers.
- Several affordable writing master's degrees maintain strong recommendation rates from students despite low tuition. UTEP reaches 90%, Lindenwood posts 93%, and Arcadia and UNO both reach 96%.
How We Rank "Most Affordable" Schools
The OnlineU research team manually collects and verifies tuition data for every school on our lists, ensuring you see accurate, up-to-date costs whether you're pursuing an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program. To qualify, schools must offer fully online degrees, hold institutional accreditation, and have verifiable enrollment data through the National Center for Education Statistics. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
We prioritize schools that offer a consistent tuition rate across programs at the same degree level, so you're not caught off guard by unexpected price differences between majors, and for graduate programs we go a step further by individually calculating program costs since credit requirements and fees vary widely.
2026 Most Affordable Online MFA in Creative Writing
| Rank | School | Annual In-State Tuition | Annual Out-of-State Tuition | Recommendation | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University - Victoria | $7,020 | $14,310 | 86% | N/A | |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | $8,160 | $14,040 | 75% | N/A | |
| Central Washington University | $8,547 | $20,023 | 88% | N/A | |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | $8,820 | $10,350 | 90% | $56,065 | |
| Concordia University - St. Paul | $9,450 | $9,450 | 86% | N/A | |
| Regent University Online | $10,050 | $10,050 | 83% | N/A | |
| Liberty University | $10,440 | $10,440 | 75% | N/A | |
| Wilkes University | $11,250 | $11,250 | 81% | N/A | |
| Saint Leo University Online | $13,230 | $13,230 | 62% | N/A | |
| Lindenwood University | $14,280 | $14,280 | 93% | $56,012 | |
| Ashland University | $16,425 | $16,425 | 91% | N/A | |
| Drexel University | $16,492 | $16,492 | 89% | N/A | |
| Albertus Magnus College | $16,506 | $16,506 | 100% | N/A | |
| Arcadia University | $16,672 | $16,672 | 96% | $84,341 | |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | $16,740 | $16,740 | 96% | $33,082 |
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This is the #1 cheapest online MFA in creative writing in the U.S. at $7,020/year for in-state students.
- Interestingly, TAMUV allows core workshop courses to be repeated up to four times in different combinations. So, a fiction writer can continue returning to the same genre repeatedly, refining a manuscript over time in an iterative studio-style environment. That structure feels closer to how working writers actually develop books.
- For those who want deeper engagement with questions about structure, language, literary tradition, and artistic philosophy, TAMUV's online MFA foregrounds “Form and Poetics.”
AI Student Review Summary: At Texas A&M University - Victoria, many describe the online format as a major advantage, noting that courses are well organized, deadlines are communicated clearly, and instructors respond quickly. Smaller class sizes and approachable professors are recurring themes, with reviewers saying this creates meaningful one-on-one attention and a more personal learning experience. Several also mention that the coursework is rigorous but manageable. Affordability is another frequently cited strength. The main criticisms are about gaps in support and program structure. Some wanted more on-campus options, more scholarships and fellowships, stronger career services, and more hands-on learning.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 705 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 26%
- Retention Rate: 65%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- A working journalist finishing a book manuscript, a parent balancing childcare, or a teacher managing a heavy semester load may not need the same academic intensity every term. That's why UAM allows students to enroll in as few as three credits or as many as 12 credits during a term.
- UAM emphasizes “genre jumping" by encouraging students admitted in one genre to complete workshops across all three areas. This reflects a more expansive view of literary development. A fiction writer may strengthen pacing and compression through poetry study; a nonfiction writer may sharpen scene construction through fiction workshop techniques.
- Graduate Online: 362 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 72%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- The portfolio-based capstone allows students to assemble evidence of multiple writing competencies in one integrated body of work.
- This online MFA in writing is built around a broader argument about what writing careers now look like. Faculty frame writing as an evolving skill set tied to what it calls a new “learning economy,” where adaptability, cross-genre fluency, and intellectual flexibility matter as much as specialization.
AI Student Review Summary: At Central Washington University, most recommend the school and highlight its supportive learning environment. Students say that it's easier to know classmates, connect with professors, and receive more direct help than they expected at a public university. Faculty responsiveness stands out across reviews, especially attentive advising, flexible communication, and practical preparation for careers through internships, practicum work, or applied coursework. Affordability is another recurring strength, with several students describing the school as a cost-effective path to career advancement, stronger earnings, and long-term flexibility. A few students felt the institution was overly bureaucratic or too willing to create added costs.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 232 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 70%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- For students interested in transnational literature, bilingual identity, migration narratives, or cross-border storytelling, this could be an especially strong fit. In the online writing MFA description, it mentions an “international community of writers without borders" and the program is comprised of bilingual and internationally recognized faculty, including writers connected to Latin American, borderlands, multilingual, and cross-cultural literary traditions.
- The writing master's program is positioned around serious fiction and poetry writers. It's highly competitive and intended for writers with “great talent and drive” who may want to teach at the university level or pursue publication seriously.
1 Student Review for Master's in Creative Writing Degrees
A lot of these did not pertain to me due to only having internet courses with the school. That being said, the quality of instruction and organization of the classes is top notch!
AI Student Review Summary: Reviews of The University of Texas at El Paso describe an affordable institution that helps you build practical career readiness. Students praise professors who go beyond coursework by opening research, publishing, and career opportunities. Many also value flexible formats, including online options. Affordability is a major theme, especially when paired with low living costs, financial aid, and programs seen as strong preparation for licensure, graduate study, or industry roles. The main complaints focus on inconsistent advising, uneven teaching quality, weak organization in some departments, limited prestige or job placement in certain fields, and administrative frustrations.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 998 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $56,065
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 79%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- For aspiring novelists, memoirists, or long-form nonfiction writers, CSP's online master's in writing repeatedly centers the idea of leaving the degree with a book-length manuscript. It's anchored around sustained project development over time. In this way, it may feel closer to the professional writing process than some others on this list.
- This program is categorized into five components: workshops, literature courses, craft courses, literary research, and supervised thesis work. Formalizing literary research as part of the curriculum suggests the MFA program views strong writing as something strengthened by critical inquiry, literary context, and analytical engagement with texts. As such, it connects creative writing to communications, marketing, and broader writing-intensive careers.
1 Student Review for Master's in Creative Writing Degrees
The online MFA program is new and quite good. The professors are dedicated and provide a strong foundation in theory and craft. There is a wide diversity of students (of all genres), but you get out of it what you put into it. The program's strong points... Read More
AI Student Review Summary: Reviews of Concordia University - St. Paul reveal a clear split between people who found strong support and flexibility and those who felt the experience was poorly administered or academically weak. Positive reviewers highlight attentive faculty, small classes, and support staff who check in regularly and respond to questions quickly. Many say the online format works especially well for working adults, citing interactive cohorts, and the ability to build professional networks with peers from diverse backgrounds. Negative reviews tend to focus on value and institutional execution, describing canceled classes, generic feedback, and assessments perceived as too easy to carry real credibility.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 1,854 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate: 67%
Stories Behind the Cheapest Online Creative Writing MFAs: An Editorial Analysis
馃弳 Best for Writers Pursuing Film and Television
Regent University Online
Many online MFAs on this list are framed around 鈥渃reative writing,鈥� RUO specializes in screenwriting. The curriculum references feature films, television writing, sitcoms, hour-long dramas, and script development, making it one of the few programs here with a direct orientation toward the entertainment industry. For students who already know they the most interested in visual storytelling formats, this could be the best pick.
馃弳 MFA for Writers Trying to Finish a Full Manuscript
Concordia University - St. Paul
CSP鈥檚 curriculum is heavily manuscript-centered, as it's completely organized around producing a book-length manuscript through workshops, literature study, craft courses, literary research, and supervised thesis work. That structure may appeal to writers who already know they want to complete a sustained project 鈥� such as a novel, memoir, or long-form nonfiction manuscript.
馃弳 Most Professionally Connected MFA
Wilkes University
WU has the most straightforward publishing-industry integration on the list. Every thesis receives review from a working agent, editor, publisher, or producer, followed by one-on-one residency meetings discussing market realities and professional positioning. That level of structured industry critique is rare. Add in assistantships connected to publishing organizations and a network of more than 1,000 writers, and WU becomes especially compelling for students who want direct exposure to literary gatekeepers.
馃弳 Best MFA for Young Adult and Middle Grade Writers
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood is one of the few affordable MFA programs here that formally treats young adult and middle grade writing as a dedicated emphasis. Since publishing expectations, pacing, voice, and market conventions differ substantially in YA publishing compared with adult literary fiction, this could be really helpful for those students who know that children鈥檚 or teen publishing is the path they want to pursue.
Expert Advice About Choosing an Online MFAs in Creative Writing
Writer, Publisher, Author
How do online writing programs teach creative writing effectively in a virtual environment?
"I think the key element to successful online writing degrees/courses is to use real-world examples of writing in the specific area (Journalism, Fiction, etc.).
Case studies are a very popular learning tool with students and encourage critical thinking."
Are writing specializations or genres important when choosing an online MFA?
"The demand for one genre or specialization is essentially irrelevant. What is relevant is that the student be empowered with the tools, knowledge, current trends, and realities of whatever the student's interest lies."
What should students learn in an MFA writing program online?
"It is imperative that students learn the importance of Artificial Intelligence's role in their writing field. [A program should] teach them how to work with AI and not how to avoid it."
Can online creative writing students benefit from real-world writing experience?
"It is extremely important! If courses can get students to actually become involved in small writing jobs or duties, it will anchor what they have learned in class. This essentially provides a base for experience.
Internships are a great way, for sure... paid or unpaid, [they] can be a critical tool for learning and acquiring real-world experience. They should be an integral part of the course/degree offering."
EXPERT TIP
"First consider their current knowledge and level of experience before deciding on what type and length of online study to engage in. Consider short and long-term goals. Your course/degree offering should provide choices in this aspect. It is very important to understand how Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving and affecting writing careers."
FAQs About the Cheapest Online MFAs in Creative Writing
How Much Does an Affordable Online MFA in Creative Writing Cost?
The cheapest online MFA in creative writing programs on this list charge well under what many students expect from graduate writing education.
- Texas A&M University - Victoria leads the rankings at just $7,020 annually for in-state students.
- Several others 鈥� including University of Arkansas at Monticello and The University of Texas at El Paso 鈥� remain below ~$9,000 per year for in-state learners.
That is significant because graduate tuition nationally is often much higher. According to the (NCES), average tuition and required fees at private nonprofit institutions reached roughly $40,700 annually in recent reporting (!) while even public institutions averaged ~$9,800.
MFA pricing is often difficult to compare accurately. The rankings above also note that all tuition figures were manually collected and verified rather than pulled from outdated databases. Creative writing programs vary in credit requirements, residency structures, workshop fees, and completion timelines, which means broad tuition databases can understate or misclassify the true cost. By manually calculating tuition using current per-credit pricing, minimum required credits, and expected completion timelines, the list above provides a more realistic estimate of what students may actually pay.
Are Affordable Online MFA Programs Still Respected?
Yes. For example, every single college on this list is institutionally accredited and that means that they have all been verified for providing high-quality education.
Plus, several lower-cost programs on this list pair affordability with strong student recommendation rates and positive long-term outcomes. Arcadia University and University of Nebraska at Omaha both post 96% recommendation rates, while Lindenwood University reaches 93%.
Can You Complete an MFA in Creative Writing Fully Online?
MFA programs are typically intensive and immersive, often requiring students to be physically present on campus for extended periods. However, for working writers, caregivers, people with disabilities, or those living far from major universities, that's a significant barrier. Fortunately, many of the writing master's programs on this list are designed for fully online completion, though some use low-residency models that include occasional campus visits or workshops.
Albertus Magnus College, for example, has a true no-residency format that allows students to complete the degree remotely without ever stepping a foot on campus. This kind of creative writing program lets students keep their jobs intact, which can make the degree actually more affordable in practice.
There's another argument to be made that learning to write while living your actual life is actually more creatively productive than the hothouse environment of a traditional campus MFA. This way, you can potentially stay embedded in the routines, relationships, and experiences that feed your work.
Student Reviews of Online Creative Writing Programs
I have completed 4 online classes for an MFA in Creative Writing. The professors have been accommodating, informative, and encouraging. The material that I am learning does prepare me for a future in writing, as I have been published as a result of the work in one class. I am very pleased with the school and the teachers. Don鈥檛 let the negative reviews push you away from this school. It is a wonderful school, even for an online school.
Review Date: 7/13/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The online MFA program is new and quite good. The professors are dedicated and provide a strong foundation in theory and craft. There is a wide diversity of students (of all genres), but you get out of it what you put into it. The program's strong points outweigh the weak points, in my opinion. Since getting a real teaching job is nearly impossible unless you go to the elite programs, this program is well-suited to those who want to improve their writing, simple as that, and have a day job that they... Read More
Review Date: 3/9/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I love the Rainier Writing Workshop at Pacific Lutheran! It's a low residency program that allows each student the ability to work one on one with a mentor and offers a two week residency where you get to meet the faculty and other students while taking a variety of classes that cater to your interests. The program director is very communicative, and amazing. I would absolutely recommend this school/program to anyone looking for a guided independent curriculum that is individually created for a unique... Read More
Review Date: 2/16/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Laguna College of Art and Design for creative writing MFA is a new degree offered on campus. It provides you with mentors that help you get the hands on and one on one help that you need to be successful in the writing industry. You will focus on most of your own work by also learning the fundamentals.
Review Date: 3/10/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The online experience is vibrant. I wish they used technology in a more innovative way. It seems that an online school could develop programs other than Blackboard. The teachers are competent and my classmates have been thoughtful.
Review Date: 4/2/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The Low-Residency MFA program at Lesley University is wonderful! They are open and willing to accept students and writers from all walks of life into the program. I myself have a Bachelors in Creative Writing, but there are plenty of people in my cohort and other cohorts who are much older than I am, and who have other degrees, completely different from creative writing, and careers outside of anything creative, but they applied and Lesley accepted them regardless, because they showed interest and... Read More
Review Date: 3/21/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am working on my MFA in the CWLA Creative Writing Low Residency program. Two weeks per year, we are on campus for a rigorous writing and literary arts bootcamp style workout. During this condensed education, we read, write and critique each other's work under the guidance of published authors and professors. For the rest of the year we work with mentors who guide us through our creative works, reading, critical thought, analysis and growth in our own efforts towards publication and scholarship.... Read More
Review Date: 7/25/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
If you're thinking you'd like to attend SNHU but aren't sure take the leap! The programs are amazing and the instructors exceed expectations. Advisors are involved and stay with you every step of the way. Being able to peruse a degree I have true passion for was the best leap I made.
Review Date: 8/24/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
SNHU has set me on the path of a rigorous learning experience with great support. This institution is flexible in accommodating the needs of students as it has been with me on numerous occasions (changing the academic advisor because we did not "click", learning about Financial Aid and its obligations/options for Graduate Students, advising on different class options aside from the ones listed online to meet my interests). Overall a positive, exciting experience that lets me look hopeful to the future... Read More
Review Date: 3/17/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This is one of the best low residency MFA programs available due to the quality and support of excellent faculty. The online mentoring works well for students who have families and jobs. The only con is that there are not many scholarships available.
Review Date: 10/15/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My experience at Bay Path University has changed my life in many positive ways. I now have the tools and self discipline to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a writer who makes a difference in the world. I'm still finishing the program and will graduate next May. I struggled with the online MFA program at first because of lifelong ADHD and poor balancing and time management issues. But my instructors in the program helped me overcome these problems even after my dad passed away suddenly and I... Read More
Review Date: 9/7/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I've earned both an undergraduate and a graduate degree from Full Sail. The course of study for both degrees provided real world, practical insight and education for my fields of study. People know that my education isn't just theory and are more willing to work with me. I highly recommend this school to people wishing to work in the entertainment industry.
Review Date: 5/16/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I am doing the program 100% online because I am an Air Force spouse who will be moving around the globe every 2-3 years. This program has been extremely supportive, accommodating, and helpful. I really enjoy the staff, student support, workload, and the material. It's been wonderful for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to study creative writing.
Review Date: 6/18/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
SNHU's online grad program is very good. I also enjoy the fact my instructors and fellow classmates are very helpful when completing weekly lessons. The only con I do have about the course is that I do not get a chance to see the faces of my instructor and fellow classmates on a daily basis. Nevertheless, this is a very good environment for me to learn and obtain my Masters in English.
Review Date: 11/11/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I've taken on-line classes during my undergrad program, and combination on-line and in person (at the beginning of the courses and then again at the finish) for another Masters program. The classes in my current Masters program are no joke. The work is complex and very competitive, but the faculty is as available, if not more so, than they would be if they were being taught on campus. I like that it is a brick and mortar school, as well as having the on-line programs. It gives you more faith in the... Read More
Review Date: 8/14/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The online courses are designed to be challenging and engaging for the student. Although I'm not in a classroom, I feel like I've gotten real value from each of my classroom "sessions." It is hard to develop a network, however, as an online student.
Review Date: 7/30/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Full Sail University's Creative Writing program was awesome. I would put it up against any other Creative Writing MFA out there. The online program consisted of the same education quality as the campus. The teachers were always accessible, and they are working writers themselves, with real entertainment industry experience. Their Creative Writing MFA program was a challenge, but the course work was valuable and applicable to the writing industry. I would recommend Full Sail to anyone looking to enter... Read More
Review Date: 9/8/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The program overall was great. My only regre is that is the school is only nationally accredited versus regionally accredited.
Review Date: 9/5/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
All of my online professors for my MFA in Creative Writing were professional. The online educational structure is excellent if you are looking to become a better creative writer of fiction and nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting. Several award-winning professors mentor their students in improving their craft. Standards are high鈥攖his is an extremely challenging terminal degree. I would recommend it to those who want to improve their writing craft and focus on the elements of their chosen genre. You... Read More
Review Date: 3/18/2024
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I would echo the review below by lo langford, but apply it to the MFA Program. The mentors are generally caring and the core faculty do try hard, but they're not recognizable lights of the literary world by any stretch. The main problem is the program takes practically anyone who they find get to pay $10+K at term for basically online lectures and a chance to email/zoom with a mediocre(albeit caring) writer about your work. A high acceptance rate says something about an MFA program and it's not good.... Read More
Review Date: 11/8/2023
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No