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:
- The University of Texas at El Paso ranks #1 for affordability, offering its online MFA in creative writing for just $9,200 annually.
- Drexel University leads in graduation outcomes, boasting a 78% graduation rate, which is in the top 8% nationally.
- The University of Denver, despite being last on our list for affordability, provides the most personalized attention on our entire list, with an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
All schools are accredited with fully online creative writing master's programs that are ranked based on manually collected tuition. See the full breakdown in our methodology.
2025 Most Affordable Master's in Creative Writing Online
| Rank | School | Location | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso (TX) | $9,200 | |
| Concordia University - St. Paul | Saint Paul (MN) | $9,450 | |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia (PA) | $10,680 | |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg (VA) | $10,848 | |
| Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre (PA) | $11,250 | |
| Regent University Online | Virginia Beach (VA) | $12,395 | |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | Monticello (AR) (and 1 other) | $12,720 | |
| Saint Leo University Online | St. Leo (FL) | $13,230 | |
| Lindenwood University | Saint Charles (MO) | $13,464 | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | Manchester (NH) | $15,288 | |
| Bay Path University | Longmeadow (MA) (and 1 other) | $15,502 | |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha (NE) | $15,930 | |
| Albertus Magnus College | New Haven (CT) | $16,020 | |
| Arcadia University | Glenside (PA) | $16,380 | |
| Ashland University | Ashland (OH) | $16,425 | |
| Adelphi University | Garden City (NY) | $17,745 | |
| Maharishi International University | Fairfield (IA) | $18,000 | |
| Reinhardt University | Waleska (GA) | $18,000 | |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland (ME) | $18,048 | |
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown (PA) | $19,104 | |
| Regis University | Denver (CO) | $19,467 | |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg (WA) | $20,023 | |
| Mount Saint Mary's University - CA | Los Angeles (CA) | $21,150 | |
| Emerson College | Boston (MA) | $25,992 | |
| University of Denver | Denver (CO) | $27,488 |
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’t 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
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
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 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—this 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