Key Takeaways:
- Online MFA creative writing programs in 2026 offer flexible, accredited paths to a terminal degree without leaving home.
- Tuition ranges from around $18,900 to over $38,000, so comparing programs carefully can save you thousands.
- Most programs require a writing sample and a statement of purpose, so having polished work ready before you apply matters.
If writing is your calling and you are ready to take it seriously, an online MFA in creative writing could be your next step. The MFA, short for Master of Fine Arts, is the terminal degree in creative writing, meaning it is the highest academic credential in the field. Earning one signals to publishers, editors, and academic hiring committees that you have put in serious craft work. More programs than ever are available entirely or mostly online, giving working writers real flexibility.
GetEducated helps you compare online MFA programs side by side, with verified cost data and student reviews. Below, we have rounded up 13 of the best accredited options available right now, sorted by estimated cost.Top Online MFA Creative Writing Programs for 2026
From budget-friendly fully online programs to low-residency options at well-known universities, these programs cover fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more.
GetEducated's Picks
- Johns Hopkins University Master of Arts in Writing
- Eastern Oregon University Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
- Liberty University Master of Arts in Composition
Eastern Oregon University: MFA in Creative Writing
Eastern Oregon University offers a mostly online MFA in Creative Writing built around a workshop model. Students develop a book-length manuscript across 60 credits of focused craft study.
- Estimated Cost: $29,680 | Per Credit: $495
- Credits: 60
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; portfolio; recommendation letters; statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
One of the more affordable options among nationally accredited programs. Visit EOU's tuition page for current rates.
Southern New Hampshire University: MFA in Creative Writing
SNHU’s fully online MFA in Creative Writing is one of the few programs in the country with no residency requirement. Students work one-on-one with faculty mentors and complete a full-length manuscript across four semesters.
- Estimated Cost: $30,246 | Per Credit: $630
- Credits: 48
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.75 GPA; official transcripts
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
No GRE required, and the fully asynchronous format suits writers with full-time jobs. See SNHU's tuition page for details.
Concordia University, St. Paul: MFA in Creative Writing
Concordia University, St. Paul, offers one of the most affordable fully online MFA programs in the country. It is a two-year, 36-credit program with small synchronous class meetings each week, giving it a genuine workshop feel without requiring travel.
- Estimated Cost: $18,900 | Per Credit: $525
- Credits: 36
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; writing sample; statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Students graduate with a book-length manuscript. For the latest pricing, check Concordia's tuition page.
Lindenwood University: MFA in Writing
Lindenwood offers a fully online 48-credit MFA in Writing with four distinct concentrations: Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, and a general Writing track. Each concentration is structured as its own program, so you can choose the genre that matches your goals.
- Estimated Cost: $23,880 | Per Credit: $498
- Credits: 48 per concentration
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; writing sample; resume; statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Four genre-specific tracks under one roof is a real advantage if you already know your niche.
Albertus Magnus College: MFA in Writing
Albertus Magnus College runs a low-residency online MFA in Writing centered on sustained faculty mentorships rather than traditional coursework. The 36-credit program is a good fit for writers who want extended, personalized feedback.
- Estimated Cost: $27,466 | Per Credit: $763
- Credits: 36
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; writing sample; recommendation letters; resume
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Check Albertus Magnus's tuition page for the latest costs.
The University of Texas at El Paso: MFA in Creative Writing / Bilingual
UTEP’s online MFA in Creative Writing with a Bilingual concentration is one of the only programs of its kind in the country. It is designed for writers who work in both English and Spanish, guided by world-renowned bilingual faculty.
- Estimated Cost: $23,520 (in-state) / $27,600 (out-of-state) | Per Credit: $575 (OOS)
- Credits: 48
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; writing sample; recommendation letters; statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
In-state students get a meaningful discount.
Drexel University: MFA in Creative Writing
Drexel’s mostly online 45-credit MFA in Creative Writing lets students focus on fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Faculty are actively publishing writers, and the program has optional in-person residencies for students who want some face time.
- Estimated Cost: $29,340 | Per Credit: $652
- Credits: 45
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; writing sample; official transcripts
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Check Drexel's tuition page for details.
Southern New Hampshire University: MFA in Fiction & Nonfiction
SNHU’s Mountainview Low-Residency MFA combines online study with weeklong intensives in January and June. Students work closely with faculty mentors and meet editors and literary agents during residencies.
- Estimated Cost: $30,246 | Per Credit: $630
- Credits: 48
- Format: Mostly Online (low-residency)
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.75 GPA; official transcripts
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
See SNHU's tuition page for pricing.
Arcadia University: MFA in Creative Writing
Arcadia’s mostly online MFA in Creative Writing is a 39-credit low-residency program known for its unique study abroad component. Students engage in online workshops and graduate with a book-length manuscript.
- Estimated Cost: $30,585 | Per Credit: $784
- Credits: 39
- Format: Mostly Online (low-residency)
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; writing sample; interview; recommendation letters
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
The international residency option sets this program apart. Visit Arcadia's tuition page for current rates.
University of New Orleans: MFA in Creative Writing
The UNO MFA can be completed in as little as five semesters fully online, with optional summer residencies in Cork, Ireland, and Brunnenburg, Italy, for students who want an international experience.
- Estimated Cost: $23,070 (in-state) / $34,495 (out-of-state) | Per Credit: $767 (OOS)
- Credits: 45
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; writing sample; recommendation letters; resume; statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Optional European residencies are a rare bonus for an online program. Check UNO's bursar page for current rates.
University of Georgia: MFA in Narrative Media Writing
UGA’s Grady College offers a low-residency online MFA in Narrative Media Writing, focused on long-form storytelling across books, screenplays, and journalism. It is a strong pick for writers who want to work across formats.
- Estimated Cost: $23,520 | Per Credit: $653
- Credits: 36
- Format: Mostly Online (low-residency)
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; writing sample; resume; recommendation letters; statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Suits writers interested in narrative journalism or cross-platform storytelling. Visit UGA's program tuition page for details.
Wilkes University: MFA in Creative Writing
Wilkes University has run one of the longest-standing low-residency MFA programs in the country. The 48-credit online MFA covers fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, with a focus on completing a full manuscript.
- Estimated Cost: $38,298 | Per Credit: $798
- Credits: 48
- Format: Mostly Online (low-residency)
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; writing sample; resume; recommendation letters
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
The program’s long track record gives it credibility in the literary community. See Wilkes's tuition page for pricing.
Online MFA Creative Writing Programs: Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking about applying? Here are the questions most prospective students have before committing to an online MFA.
What is an online MFA in creative writing?
An MFA, or Master of Fine Arts, in creative writing is the terminal degree in the field, meaning it is the highest academic credential you can earn in creative writing. Unlike a Master of Arts (MA), which leans more academic, an MFA centers on creative practice. You will workshop your writing, study craft, and graduate with a substantial manuscript. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate enrollment in arts programs has grown steadily, and low-residency and fully online options have driven much of that expansion.
Are online MFA creative writing programs respected?
Yes, as long as the program is regionally accredited. Regional accreditation, meaning review by a recognized body like the Higher Learning Commission or Middle States Commission on Higher Education, is what publishers, employers, and academic hiring committees look for. Steer clear of degree mills, which are unaccredited schools that sell credentials with little real coursework. An accredited online MFA carries the same professional weight as an on-campus one.
How much do online MFA creative writing programs cost?
Costs on this list range from around $18,900 at Concordia University, St. Paul, to nearly $38,300 at Wilkes University. Most programs fall in the $25,000 to $35,000 range. In-state tuition at public universities like UTEP or UNO can lower costs considerably for qualifying students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that writers and authors earn a median annual wage of around $73,690, so thinking through your return on investment is a reasonable part of the decision.
What do online MFA programs require for admission?
Most programs require a bachelor’s degree, a writing sample (usually 10 to 25 pages), a statement of purpose, and recommendation letters. Some also ask for a resume or an interview. Unlike many graduate programs, most MFAs do not require the GRE. Your writing sample is usually the most important part of your application, so give it the attention it deserves before you submit.
What is the difference between a low-residency and a fully online MFA?
A low-residency MFA is mostly online but includes short in-person intensives, usually once or twice a year for about a week. A fully online MFA, like the ones from SNHU or Concordia, has no in-person requirement at all. Both lead to the same degree. The choice comes down to whether you want occasional face-to-face community or maximum schedule flexibility.
Find the Right Online MFA Creative Writing Program for You
There are more strong online MFA creative writing programs available today than ever before, and the right one depends on your genre, budget, schedule, and residency preferences. Whether you are drawn to the affordability of Concordia, the full flexibility of SNHU, or the unique bilingual focus at UTEP, a good fit exists. Browse the full list of accredited online writing programs on GetEducated to compare costs, read student reviews, and take the next step toward your writing career.