10 Best Deals on Online MFA Creative Writing Degrees

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By Jennifer W. Eisenberg

The written word is powerful. Writers can, and often do, change the world. With an advanced degree in writing, you will have the tools to change your own world. Not only will you enhance your skills, but more job opportunities will be available to you.

With an online MFA Creative Writing, you can find employment in a variety of workplaces, including:

  • general businesses
  • advertising
  • publishing
  • educational institutions
  • government agencies
  • libraries
  • marketing
  • media organizations
  • public relations departments

While earning an advanced degree, you will improve many aspects of your writing skills. The focus of much of your coursework will be on working independently. You will also:

  • solve problems
  • organize and research your assignments
  • manage your time
  • think creatively
  • polish your editorial abilities
  • solve problems
  • deal with deadlines
  • learn how to market yourself and your work.

If you have been in the workforce for a while, you may be hesitant about going back to school for an advanced degree. Responsibilities at work and at home may cause you to wonder if you will be able to manage all of those, and earn a degree.  But you are exactly the kind of student the online master’s programs were created for. While earning an online MFA in creative writing, you will be able to complete requirements and still meet your daily obligations.The courses you will take online reflect those taken at traditional schools.
This list of the 10 best deals on online master of fine arts in creative writing degrees will help you find an accredited, respected college or university that will also suit your budget.

In the following guide, you will find more information about how to use your MFA in creative writing degree as well as the variety of positions that are available to you after graduation.

Top FAQs on Online MFA Creative Writing Degrees

Why earn an online MFA Creative Writing?

Students earning an advanced degree in creative writing will realize opportunities for greater financial rewards. Students in this field will also increase their skills, such as:

  • the ability to think and act independently
  • conduct research
  • analyze data
  • communicate.

What does a person with a master of fine arts in creative writing do?

Graduate level creative writers may find employment as:

  • editors
  • professors
  • published authors
  • managers of web content
  • creative directors
  • technical writers

They may oversee creative aspects of a business or government agency.

What coursework topics does the degree cover?

Coursework for a master of fine arts in creative writing will vary from one university to another. In general students may expect to study, critique, and create the different types of writing, such as:

  • fiction
  • poetry
  • nonfiction

There are also jobs in  literary sub-headings including:

  • young adult
  • popular fiction
  • environment writing
  • screenwriting

Classes may cover such subjects as:

  • character development
  • critical analysis
  • the writing industry
  • pursuing a career as an academic
  • literary appreciation
  • plot structure
  • creative collaboration skills
  • editing

The aim of the program is to produce a book-length thesis. Permission may be granted to produce a non-print thesis.
Elective courses would also be taken, along with advanced study in a specific area of creative writing. A timeline of two to five years for completion is typical for MFA programs.

What jobs are available for degree holders, what are some salaries, and what is the job outlook for professions requiring a master of fine arts in creative writing?

The following figures are for the year 2016 and in the following fields:
Creative director–$89,760 (median salary)
Advertising copywriter–ranges from $31,000 to $68,000
Editorial assistant–$58,770 (median salary)
Web content manager–$66,094 (national average)

Other positions obtainable with the advanced degree in creative writing include:

  • arts administrator
  • journalist
  • digital copywriter
  • public relations officer
  • social media manager
  • film director
  • academic librarian
  • information officer.

In regard to the jobs outlook, the projected employment increase for advertising copywriters is 9%, and for web content managers, it is 27%. Both figures are projected for the decade from 2014-2024. Factors in specific salary offers for any position may depend on:

  • the region of employment
  • demand for the particular specialty of the degree
  • prior experience
  • the personal network system of the applicant.

Why should I study online instead of in a traditional face-to-face college?

Online schooling is the obvious choice if you are going back to school after working for a while. Earning an advanced degree online gives you the flexibility to work on your own schedule while keeping up with all your daily responsibilities. Many educational institutions offer decreased tuition for online classes. A bonus is that by taking classes online you will save on expenses for gas or parking. You may opt to finish your degree early with an accelerated program, to bring down your time and expenses even more.
Before you commit yourself to a particular program at a school, you should ascertain whether a period of on-campus attendance is required.

How do I find the online MFA creative writing program that is right for me?

An online institution of higher learning may be evaluated in many of the same ways as a traditional school. Viable colleges or universities will earn and keep accreditation. They’ll also offer attractive student/faculty ratios as well as desirable courses and tuition. Each of these factors may be verified electronically.
Students enrolling in an online school should explore any other important matters, such as the availability of essential courses. Student work should be evaluated in a timely manner. Students should have support from a school’s tech center 24/7. A college or university should provide assistance after graduation in gaining employment.

Does getting an online degree get me a different diploma than people who go to a brick-and-mortar college?

No. If you earn your degree online, you will receive exactly the same diploma as students at a traditional school. If you wish, you may attend the same graduation ceremony. Your diploma will not contain the word “online.” You will in many cases have the same instructors in the online program that you would have had in the traditional program.

How will I pay for an online MFA creative writing degree?

Often, online educational institutions will charge the same course per hour rates to both in state and out of state students. A master’s degree usually takes 18-24 months of full-time study. An online master of fine arts in creative writing takes two to five years. Between 36 to 60 semester credits of study (or 60 to 90 quarter-credits) is the norm for an advanced degree. This is equivalent to 12 to 20 college courses. Most master’s degrees are awarded by public or state colleges and universities. Applications for federal student aid and scholarships are made in the very same way for both online and traditional schools.

What kind of skills does online college require?

Whether at a traditional or an online school, students will need to use certain organizational skills and habits of discipline. If you wish, you will find online a brief quiz you can take to determine if you have those skills. Many skills you developed in undergraduate school will be needed in an online school. Online education also utilizes certain technical elements. However, by finding and reading this article you demonstrated that you likely have the necessary skills to complete a master of fine arts in creative writing degree.

How were these rankings arrived at?

Several factors were used to evaluate the 10 best deals on online Master’s in Fine Arts Creative Writing. You will find these factors described in the bullet points below. If a tie occurs in the ranking of schools, the deciding element will be tuition cost. Other factors used are the school’s student/faculty ratio and tuition breaks that may be given for out of state students. If a score is awarded by a prestigious entity, such as US News and World Report magazine, the point scale for that is also shown.
Tuition figures for the year are the out of state, graduate tuition numbers that are reported to the National Center for Education Statistics. Enrollment and student/faculty ratios also come from this source. Per credit hour tuition rates found in the school review information comes from the school’s website and may show a discount from the rate reported by the government.

Ranking Methodology for Online MFA Creative Writing Degrees

Tuition Points

  1. Under $30,000—1 point
  2. Under $27,000—2 points
  3. Under $24,000—3 points
  4. Under $21,000—4 points
  5. Under $18,000—5 points
  6. Under $15,000—6 points
  7. Under $12,000—7 points
  8. Under $9,000—8 points

Student to Faculty Ratio Points

  1. Above 35-1 point
  2. Above 30-2 point
  3. Above 25-3 points
  4. Above 20-4 points
  5. Above 15-5 points
  6. Above 10-6 points

National Recognition

  1. Top 100-1 point
  2. Top 40-2 point
  3. Top 30-3 points
  4. Top 20-4 points
  5. Top 10-5 points
  6. Top 5-6 points

Bonus for special tuition discount for online students

  1. Has special online discount for tuition-3 points
  2. Online students charged standard tuition-0 points

Ranking the Top Online MFA Creative Writing Degrees

#10 – University of Denver

Denver, Colorado

Online Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing

Website
Points: 9
Enrollment: 11,614
Tuition: $47,520
The University of Denver is nonsectarian, but was founded in the Methodist tradition. With a student/ faculty ratio of 11:1, the school offers an online master of arts in professional creative writing. It’s a 48 quarter credit hour program including the genres of:

  • fiction
  • creative nonfiction
  • poetry
  • dramatic writing

The University of Denver offers an online graduate tuition rate of $672.88 per credit hour for this program. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#9 – Bennington College

Bennington, Vermont

Online Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Website
Points: 10
Enrollment: 805
Tuition: $23,300
Bennington College was founded as a school for women in 1932 and began admitting men in 1969. IT has a student/faculty ratio of 9:1.  The school offers an online master of fine arts in writing. It’s a 64 credit hour program that allows single or double genre study among:

  • fiction
  • nonfiction
  • poetry

Bennington College charges an annual full time graduate online tuition rate of $20,500. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

#8 – Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing Online

Website
Points: 10
Enrollment: 73,177
Tuition: $18,810
Southern New Hampshire University’s school motto is “The Greatest and The Best.” It has a student/ faculty ratio of 30:1. The school offers an online master of arts in English and creative writing. It’s a 10 class program including coursework in studying the craft and story and concept. Southern New Hampshire University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $627 per credit hour for this program. Military discounts are available. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

#7 – University of Louisiana at Monroe

Monroe, Louisiana

Online Master of Arts in English with a Specialization in Creative Writing

Website
Points:11
Enrollment: 9,038
Tuition: $18,590
The University of Louisiana at Monroe was established in 1891. It has a student/faculty ratio of 21:1. The school offers an online master of arts in English with a specialization in creative writing. It’s a 30 credit hour program including coursework in poetry writing and fiction writing. The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers an online graduate tuition rate of $500 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#6 – University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska

Online Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 15,627
Tuition: $12,987
The University of Nebraska at Omaha was established in 1908. It has a student/faculty ratio of 17:1.  The school offers an online master of fine arts in writing that is a 60 credit hour program. It includes the genres of:

  • fiction
  • nonfiction
  • playwriting
  • poetry

The University of Nebraska at Omaha charges an online out of state graduate tuition rate of $753 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

#5 – Fairfield University

Fairfield, Connecticut

Online MFA Creative Writing

Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 5,137
Tuition: $16,968
Fairfield University was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942. It has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1. The school offers an online master of fine arts in creative writing. It’s a 60 credit hour program including the genres of:

  • fiction
  • nonfiction
  • poetry
  • screenwriting/playwriting

Fairfield University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $575 per credit hour for this program. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

#4 – Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Online Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 10,750
Tuition: $16,300
Lindenwood University is a private liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the Show Me State. It has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1. The school offers an online master of fine arts in writing. It’s  a 48 quarter credit hour program including coursework in women poets and the sonnet. Lindenwood University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $480 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

#3 – University of New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana

Online MFA Creative Writing

Website
Points: 15
Enrollment: 8,037
Tuition: $10,660
The University of New Orleans was established in 1956. It has a student/faculty ratio of 19:1. The school offers an online master of fine arts in creative writing. It’s a 45 credit hour program including coursework in form and idea, and nonfiction writing. The University of New Orleans offers an online graduate tuition rate of around $560 per credit hour for this program. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#2 – University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello, Arkansas

Online MFA Creative Writing

Website
Points: 16
Enrollment: 3,924
Tuition: $9,249
The University of Arkansas at Monticello’s school motto is “To Advance With Truth As Our Guide.” It has a student/faculty ratio of 15:1. The school offers an online master of fine arts in creative writing. It’s a 48 credit hour program including three genres:

  • poetry
  • fiction
  • creative nonfiction
  • The University of Arkansas at Monticello offers an online out of state graduate tuition rate of $510 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#1 – Converse College

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Online MFA Creative Writing

Website
Points: 17
Enrollment: 1,320
Tuition: $8,400
Converse College was established by the residents of Spartanburg in 1889. It has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1. The school offers an online master of fine arts in creative writing. It’s a 48 credit hour program including the genres of:

  • poetry
  • fiction
  • young adult fiction
  • creative nonfiction
  • environmental writing

Converse College offers an online graduate tuition rate of $530 per credit hour for this program. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

GCD Staff

Also of interest:

10 Best Deals: Online Master’s in English Literature

20 Great Scholarships for Graduate Degrees in English Literature

20 Great Scholarships for Creative Writing Degrees

20 Scholarships for Writers

This concludes our coverage of the top ranked online MFA creative writing degree programs.

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