Non-Residents: $31,569
What do Shonda Rhimes ( Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal ) and Mindy Kaling ( The Mindy Project, The Office ) have in common? Great writing careers — and the fact that they both studied at Dartmouth College.
The New Hampshire-based school created its comprehensive English and creative writing program with only one thing in mind: to help students become capable writers and build their confidence step by step.
Dartmouth has a nice selection of writing courses that differ each semester and creative writing awards , including the Sidney Cox Memorial Prize and the Academy of American Poets Prize, that undergraduates can compete for.
9.2 percent | |
Hanover, NH |
If you want to learn screenwriting, digital and cross-disciplinary writing, and much more, Brown is the way to go! But apart from having a stellar graduate and undergraduate curriculum , Brown also boasts a vibrant literary community that provides students with a continuous stream of readings, festivals, and performances.
Its strong liberal foundation exposes emerging writers to relevant voices and perspectives in the current literary landscape. On top of that, Brown also has courses tackling new media such as political drama, electronic writing, and innovative narrative.
7.7 percent | |
Providence, RI |
Another excellent option for aspiring writers is to earn a Certificate in Creative Writing or join the MFA program at Washington University. Why? Because you could be taught by National Book Award finalists, Guggenheim Fellows, and National Book Critics Circle Award winners!
Admissions to this college writing program can be pretty competitive since they only accept five students per track (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry). But once you’re in, you’ll become part of a close-knit community that can still be felt even after you graduate.
The campus also has plenty to offer, including a well-known student newspaper and a prime location connecting you to Forest Park and local museums, perfect for when you need a little break from your studies.
15 percent | |
St. Louis, MO |
The writing program at Johns Hopkins is a hidden gem. Sure, the Maryland-based university is known for its STEM-related disciplines, but it also has a great and flexible curriculum for students looking to master storytelling through the written word.
While challenging, courses at Johns Hopkins are designed to squeeze the best out of you. This has been proven by the sea of prolific poets, novelists, and screenwriters produced by the school, namely A Nightmare on Elm Street ’s Wes Craven, Growing Up ’s Russell Baker, and Love Medicine ’s Louise Erdrich.
9 percent | |
Baltimore, MD |
Are you surprised that MIT has a solid writing program on top of its reputation for excellence in engineering and physical sciences? The top-tier school can also offer you the best of both worlds with its graduate program in science writing .
The curriculum introduces students to fundamental research and reporting skills as they learn how to make science accessible to the masses. This highly-selective program gives you a chance to publish science-related works, including documentaries, data visualization projects, radio shows, and long-form content.
What’s even better is that the lively Cambridge campus is a great place to arouse your creativity and quite simply write better. Plus, the 22 institutional libraries found in the city offer a good respite for literature lovers or hard-working science researchers.
4.1 percent | |
Cambridge, MA |
Get ready for an intensive, multi-level approach to writing with Colorado College. Thanks to its innovative block plan structure , where students only face one class for three-and-a-half weeks, you will quickly master each discipline that interests you.
Feeling low on creativity? Take a walk at one of the seven national parks nearby, where you can find secluded spaces perfect for reflection and discussion (even if you’re by yourself).
15 percent | |
Colorado, CO |
If you want to get a handle on creative writing, your work must go through the wringer so it can improve. At Brandeis, you’ll be exposed to a rigorous curriculum and a renowned writing center to help you get started.
As soon as you get into the college’s creative writing program , take advantage of one-on-one sessions with supportive graduate-student consultants. With this peer-to-peer appointment, you can get your work dissected and sort out any writing issues with your structure, style, punctuation, or syntax.
34 percent | |
Waltham, MA |
For writers hoping to concentrate their studies on poetry or prose, the University of Virginia is a great pick. Whether you’re a full-fledged English major or a Science freshman interested in poetry, its undergraduate program can certainly accommodate you.
The college also has a stellar MFA program that accepts five students for poetry and five for prose. Apart from this school having terrific professors, graduate students receive $20,000 in fellowships or income each academic year.
Students also learn from visiting lecturers who take residence in the school for one week and offer craft talks and one-on-one manuscript consultations (where an MFA student’s work is given to visiting writers one week ahead).
23.9 percent | |
Residents: Non-Residents: $48,036 | |
Charlottesville, VA |
At Colby, students are introduced to a strong culture of writing, teaching them to be skillful and effective in multiple genres. The college’s writing program provides students with expository writing workshops, writing labs , and word references forums to build their ability to communicate thoughtfully and skillfully.
Among the impressive resources available at Colby is Farnham’s Writing Center , where great writing is fostered through peer and faculty support. Working with peer writing tutors from the brainstorming phase to the final version is bound to make you a better writer!
13.1 percent | |
(including room and board) | |
Waterville, ME |
Kenyon’s mission is to nurture future poets and fiction writers, and it’s certainly achieved this with notable alumni like The Fault in Our Stars ’ John Green and Seabiscuit ’s Laura Hillenbrand.
This program’s main draw is the Kenyon Review , the college’s world-renowned literary magazine that offers highly coveted workshops and internships for student writers. Each year, a select number of faculty from Kenyon also teach workshops on poetry and prose for students in the English program .
35.8 percent | |
Gambier, OH |
No matter how much you love writing, mastering this craft can be challenging. That’s why Beloit’s writing program is designed to support students of all kinds in their writing journey.
At the college’s writing center , tutors approach their students’ learning with the understanding and consideration that everyone has different strengths and capabilities. With this hands-on mentorship comes a range of other great learning resources, like literary journals and student publications, that give you the chance to gain practical experience outside the classroom.
56.4 percent | |
Beloit, WI |
This university’s three-year MFA program steals the show when it comes to creative writing. Known as the New Writers Project, this graduate-level degree only accepts a dozen students (with full funding) and hosts symposiums to connect them with editors and agents.
The New Writers Project also invites guest writers like Bluets’ Maggie Nelson, Voyager’s Srikanth Reddy, and Notes from No Man’s Land’s Eula Biss to interact with graduate students.
But if you want to spend less time concentrating on fiction, poetry, and short stories? The University of Texas-Austin’s Certificate in Creative Writing or its Honors option is for you!
31.8 percent | |
(both Fall and Spring 2021-22) | Residents: Non-Residents: $56,686 |
Austin, TX |
Goddard College takes the gold when it comes to having a varied creative writing offering! This unconventional college writing program welcomes writers interested in screenplay writing, graphic novels, dramatic writing, libretto, speculative fiction, memoirs, and other hybrid genres.
Trusting its students’ capabilities, Goddard was the first college to offer low-residency BFA and MFA creative writing degrees. This means that students are only required to complete an eight-day residency, where they can attend one-on-one sessions with advisors or participate in literary events on campus, before being able to complete the rest of their education at home.
56 percent | |
Unranked | |
Plainfield, VT |
Although this college also boasts courses on comedy and satire, the human impact on the environment, and prose, Bucknell is renowned for its poetry offering. The Stadler Center for Poetry hosts the annual Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, which awards deserving students full-tuition scholarships.
It also has the Philip Roth Residence Program named after Bucknell’s famous alumnus himself. Authors writing their first (or second) book are allowed to lodge in the Poets’ Cottage with a hefty $5,000 stipend as they work, but the program only lasts for four months.
33 perccent | |
Lewisburg, PA |
The star-studded core faculty at NYU’s creative writing program should be enough to get you on board with this college! Imagine learning the fundamentals of writing from award-winning poets, novelists, short story writers, and memoirists such as Joyce Carol Oates, Zadie Smith, Darin Strauss, Edward Hirsch, and Katie Kitamura.
Plus, with this program, you also get a shot at Writers in New York, a prized summer program that takes place at a townhouse in Greenwich Village where the likes of E.E. Cummings, James Baldwin, Willa Cather, and Mark Twain lived and worked.
16.2 percent | |
New York, NY |
Tagged as the best public university in the US, Michigan’s fantastic Helen Zell MFA Program exposes graduate students to several top-notch writers through a series taught by critically-acclaimed authors (who wouldn’t want to hear from Kazuo Ishiguro, Alice McDermott, Angela Flournoy, and Edward Hirsch?).
Undergraduates can also apply for admission to a creative writing sub-concentration or a minor and partake in the prestigious Avery Hopwood Awards , one of the country’s most famous student writing prizes.
22.9 percent | |
Residents: Non-Residents: $53,232 – $56,962 | |
Ann Arbor, MI |
For aspiring writers interested in expressing themselves in a language other than English, the creative writing program at the University of Miami’s curriculum is uniquely inspired by nearby multilingual communities. Polyglot writers are encouraged to explore literature in their own languages.
This university also welcomes double majors so that students can pursue their love for the craft on top of their other interests. Miami’s also great because this campus is jam-packed with extracurriculars that students can jump on to hone their skills. Mangrove , the school’s literary magazine, allows students an opportunity to perform their original work through hosting contests and mic nights.
33 percent | |
Coral Gables, FL |
Minnesota residents with a passion for writing consider this small university in Saint Paul a haven for creatives. Why? Because this college is home to the only bachelor’s degree in this field in the entire Twin Cities region (and the only one in the state offered by a private institution).
Hamline has three fine arts degrees for aspiring authors: a BFA and MFA in Creative Writing, plus a low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. These courses cover a range of literary genres that enable students to gain a diverse knowledge of the practice.
67.1 percent | |
Saint Paul, MN |
Writing requires dedication, passion, and a conducive environment where your talents can flourish. All the schools on this list have built outstanding creative writing programs but choosing what suits you best is important.
Make sure the school you pick can help you reach your full potential. Good luck!
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If you are interested in pursuing a career in writing, this guide will tell you the thirteen best colleges for creative writing.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em. We’d like to update Shakespeare’s methods of achieving greatness by adding one more: attending the perfect college.
Picking the best creative writing program is crucial to help you gain the right experience and education to enhance your writing skills and excel. If you’re looking for good colleges for writing, read on to find the thirteen best creative writing colleges!
Although we are using the U.S. News rankings here, there are still many factors that contribute to how good a college’s creative writing program is. Here are some factors that we’re considering in the rankings.
School | Location | Acceptance Rate | Tuition Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Brown University | Providence, RI | ||
Columbia University | New York, NY | ||
Duke University | Durham, NC | ||
Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | ||
University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | | |
Yale University | New Haven, CT |
School | Location | Acceptance Rate | Tuition Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | ||
Carleton College | Northfield, MN | ||
Swarthmore College | Swarthmore, PA | $65,058 per year | |
Amherst College | Amherst, MA | ||
Emory University | Atlanta, GA | ||
Elon University | Elon, NC | ||
Harvard University | Cambridge, MA |
To save you the worry of searching through all of the creative writing programs the country has to offer, here are the top thirteen best colleges for creative writing .
Acceptance rate : 5.16%
Tuition : $68,612 per year
If you’re wondering which school has the best creative writing program, Brown University is the top-ranked college to attend for students interested in creative writing.
Brown University’s English Department offers various courses for students to explore their interests and hone their writing skills. Students may choose to enroll in:
Once students have completed their B.A., they can join Brown’s Literary Arts Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program, where they can specialize in their desired form of writing: fiction, poetry, digital and cross-disciplinary writing, playwriting, screenwriting, and nonfiction.
In this program, students have the opportunity to conduct an independent study on their desired topic, which gives them excellent research and writing experience.
If you’re interested in applying to Brown , take a look at our complete guide on how to get into this excellent school.
Acceptance rate : 3.8%
Tuition : $32,670 per term
Columbia University is located in the Big Apple and ranks #2 in Writing in the Disciplines. They offer an English and Comparative Literature B.A. program with concentrations in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Literary Translation.
For film and TV writers, Columbia is also one of the best film schools in the US with options to pursue screenwriting and directing.
The Poetry concentration , in particular, is considered one of the strongest and most rigorous in the country. Columbia also offers an MFA in Writing for graduates.
When considering tuition costs, note that Columbia is dedicated to reducing students’ tuition costs and states that students coming from families with annual incomes less than $150,000 are able to attend Columbia tuition-free ! According to their financial office, about 50% of all Columbia students receive grants of around $63,971.
So, if money is a major factor in your decision, rest assured you have a high chance of receiving significant grants if you attend Columbia University!
Acceptance rate : 5.1%
Tuition : $66,326 per year
Ranked third on our list is Duke University . Duke University offers a general B.A. in English and a creative writing minor . While it does not offer a major in creative writing, it offers various creative writing courses that English majors can take to gain more expertise in the subject.
Unlike the majority of undergraduate arts programs, Duke offers its students internships in New York. Gaining this type of experience is crucial for when you graduate and can help you land your dream job!
Tuition at Duke costs over $60K per year. However, select students can get full-ride scholarships , which can help you get your dream degree for free!
Acceptance rate : 4.5%
Tuition : $59,710 per year
Princeton University is one of the oldest colleges in the U.S. and consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the world. It ranks third in U.S. News’ Writing in the Disciplines list. Not only is Princeton a great college for writing, but it’s also ranked as the best university in the nation.
Princeton University offers an English B.A. and a creative writing program that these undergraduate students can join with their B.A. In this program, students work alongside actual practicing writers to gain the most authentic knowledge and experience.
Acceptance rate: 86%
Tuition : $10,964 (Iowa residents), $32,927 (non-residents)
Ranking fifth in Writing in the Disciplines, the University of Iowa is another great option to consider. This university is nationally recognized as a writing university and offers majors in English as well as English and Creative Writing.
Despite their high overall acceptance rate, admission to the English Honors program is selective. The University of Iowa produces high-quality writers with a 95% job/grad school placement rate!
Acceptance rate : 3.73%
Tuition : $67,250 per year
While Yale University ranked #5 in Writing in the Disciplines, it does not offer specific Creative Writing minors or majors. Instead, you can participate in an intensive Creative Writing concentration track for English majors as well as taking numerous related courses .
English students at Yale can also participate in various student initiatives , including events put on by the English Student Advisory Committee and informal conversations with English faculty at English Lunch tables.
Acceptance rate : 7.90%
Tuition : $68,380 per year
Cornell University is another one of the best colleges for creative writing majors. It ranked #7 in Writing in the Disciplines and allows English majors to concentrate in Creative Writing . Cornell also offers a creative writing minor .
Graduate students may also join the MFA in Creative Writing program, where they will gain hands-on experience editing and publishing fiction, poetry, essays, and more for EPOCH Magazine .
Acceptance rate: 17.85%
Tuition : $65,043 per year
No list of good writing schools would be complete without top-notch liberal arts schools . Ranking #8 in Writing in the Disciplines is the prestigious Carleton College, one of the best colleges for creative writing.
Carleton offers a B.A. in English where students can choose from a breadth of creative courses to enroll in, including a minor in creative writing . Like Brown University, it offers a specialized MFA in Creative Writing . This college also offers courses where students can build their professional portfolios for when they graduate.
Acceptance rate: 7.46%
Tuition : $65,058 per year
Right after Carleton, Swarthmore holds the title of ninth-best college for creative writing, and it was considered #4 among the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges and Best Value Schools.
This liberal arts college offers an English B.A . and a Writing Associate program . With this English B.A., students are eligible for paid internships to produce original creative writing projects to build their portfolios and gain valuable experience.
Acceptance rate : 9%
Tuition : $69,820 per year
Ranking #10 in Writing in the Disciplines, Amherst is another respectable school for writing majors. The college also ranks as the second school in National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Source: Amherst University
This rural university offers an excellent English B.A. program that teaches students how to think critically and write well. It also has its very own creative writing center that offers diverse creative writing courses for students.
Acceptance rate : 14.49%
Tuition : $63,400 per year
Ranked at #11, Emory University offers an English and Creative Writing major to encourage students to approach studying literature in a creative way. Students have the opportunity to experiment with many genres of writing, including poetry, fiction, playwriting, and more.
Emory offers plenty of creative writing engagement outside of the classroom. Interested students can submit their work to creative writing contests or student-run publications.
You can also take part in the Creative Writing Peer Mentorship Program, which matches an aspiring CW major with an upperclassman, to gain wisdom and tips about the program.
Acceptance rate : 67%
Tuition: $46,985 per year
If you choose to attend Elon University, you can add a Creative Writing minor to your academic profile. This minor allows you to take courses in nonfiction, poetry, and fiction in addition to other writing-based courses.
While Elon doesn’t offer a Creative Writing major, you may choose to major in Professional Writing and Rhetoric to help sharpen up your skills with the pen.
Acceptance rate : 3.59%
Tuition : $56,550 per year
Harvard University is a prestigious school that’s on many students’ radars when they consider attending university. Coming in with the 13th spot in Writing in the Disciplines, Harvard’s prestige extends into the realm of the arts.
Source: Harvard University
Harvard offers an extensive English B.A. program where students can enroll in various comprehensive creative writing courses .
In fact, there are usually no more than twelve students in each of these classes, ensuring students receive personalized teaching to really refine their writing skills and get the most out of their education.
College applications can be stressful especially if you don’t know what schools to apply to. Below, we’ll cover some tips on how to choose the right college for you.
Consider what's important to you when picking a college. Think about location, campus size, and the programs they offer. Do you want to be close to home, or are you excited about exploring a new city? Do you prefer a big campus with many activities or a smaller one with a close community?
Also, consider your academic interests and career goals. Make sure the college you choose has the programs and resources to support your studies and help you achieve your future plans.
When picking a college, think about your future job prospects. Check out each school's career center. Ask about job fairs, on-campus interviews, and how many counselors they have for students.
Make sure they have enough resources to support you. Career centers offer services like helping you with skills employers want, sharing job and salary info, finding internships, practicing interviews, explaining how hiring works, and connecting you with alumni.
Many parents fondly remember their college days and hope their kids will have the same experience. But what worked for them might not be right for you. Talk openly with your parents about your college choices. Explain why you're interested in certain schools, like if they have a program you're excited about or offer cool opportunities like studying abroad.
Do you need help finding the right university for you? Check out our What College Should I Go to? quiz . This quiz will help you find the best college for you based on our academic profile and preferences.
If you’re still wondering which program is best for you, these frequently asked questions on the best colleges for creative writing majors can help you to find your answers.
According to its ranking and reputation, Brown University has the best writing programs and creative writing courses.
Emory University and the University of Iowa are some of the only schools offering majors in creative writing rather than just minors or courses. For those wishing to focus solely on learning how to write creatively, these universities are the best option.
Duke University and Swarthmore College offer paid internship programs for their English students. Carleton College requires students to create original writing projects to build their professional portfolios, and Cornell University requires Creative Writing MFA students to edit and publish creative writing for the EPOCH Magazine.
The University of Iowa is significantly cheaper to attend than the other best colleges for creative writing, costing only $10,964 for in-state students and $32,927 for out-of-state students. However, Columbia University offers the most extensive scholarships, as 50% of all of its students receive grants of around $63,971.
In general, they are relatively small compared to classes in other disciplines. For instance, each of Harvard’s creative writing courses only has about twelve students.
These small classes are great because students get to forge meaningful connections with professors (and we all know how important networking is!).
These schools are all good colleges for writing. However, the main factor you want to consider is what you wish to gain from your program! If you want to gain a lot of hands-on experience and build your portfolio, choose a school like Duke University, Swarthmore College, or Cornell.
If you’d like to save the most money while attending university, choose a low-tuition school like The University of Iowa.
Yes! Taking a creative writing program can provide you with many skills for a future career, such as critical thinking, communication, and storytelling.
Hopefully, this guide has provided you with helpful insight into the best colleges for creative writing. No matter which school you choose to attend, these thirteen schools are the very best and will truly help you kickstart your career as a writer!
As Shakespeare said, parting is such sweet sorrow. But now that you have all the information you need on the experience, education, and cost of the best creative writing programs the nation has to offer, you can pick the perfect college and program to help you achieve greatness!
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So, you want to pursue a creative writing degree program in the United States. Wonderful! If you are passionate about writing and you’re an avid reader, a career in fiction writing would be the way to go! When it comes to choosing the right MFA (Master of Fine Arts) program – in this case, creative writing – you might be wondering which schools have the best program. What career opportunities are there after graduation? What courses will I take in the program? What’s the admission process like?
A creative writing program will immerse you in your craft, help you develop writing discipline, and provide critical feedback on your writing. The program should also be highly reputable and produce top-quality writers.
You must decide whether you want to attend a public or a private college . This choice can be important because of student population size, tuition fees, and reputation. Private colleges will be considerably more expensive than public ones. Do you want to attend college in a small town or a big city? Is the school located somewhere that can provide ample writing inspiration? It’s important to know that some schools provide more student opportunities in their program, yet others have stronger networking connections. This distinction can be crucial once you’ve graduated from the program.
This post will highlight the benefits of a creative writing degree, including career opportunities after graduation. We’ll also discuss what you’ll need to apply. Finally, we’ll highlight our top list of creative writing schools in the United S tates. After you’ve read this post, you’ll better understand the opportunities these schools provide.
A creative writing degree prepares you for a career as a writer of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or drama. It’s also suitable for those wishing to enter the field of editing or publishing. The program immerses students in writing and provides valuable writing opportunities and feedback.
Graduates usually find jobs as authors, copywriters, journalists, editors, columnists, or screenwriters. Additionally, graduates find opportunities to become editors for big publishing agencies, which work with some of the most famous best-selling fiction authors.
You can expect to take plenty of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry workshops. Almost all programs provide compulsory introduction to fiction and poetry classes. In addition, you’ll likely take courses in screenwriting, medieval literature, and traditions in fiction. Finally, some courses focus on writing prompts (a daddy for writing inspiration).
Although the following factors will vary from college to college, you should consider them carefully:
● Location and campus culture
● Faculty and resources available
● Alumni network and professional connections
● Internships and work opportunities (internships will provide valuable work experience)
You should know that many creative writing degree programs are very selective. For this reason, you’ll need to prove your passion for writing and reading. First, you’ll need to apply to the college of your choice. This will mean submitting an admission essay as well as the application form. Creative writing degree programs will also want a writing sample, such as a poem or a short story. However, these don’t have to be works you’ve published.
Additionally, you’ll need to submit the following to your chosen college:
● Referee information (must not be a friend or a relative)
● Official transcripts
● TOEFL or IELTS test results (if English is not your native language)
● GRE scores
Gathering all required documentation for admission will be time-consuming, so you’ll want to get started early. Ideally, you should start applying nine months before your program begins. For example, if the program starts in August, you should begin applying in November of the previous year.
Established in 1851, Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois (just outside Chicago). With approximately 22,000 students, it’s a private institution with a six-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. Professors in the creative writing program are award-winning authors. Northwestern is known for producing successful authors such as Karen Russell and Veronica Roth . It also features a top journalism program. Students in the creative writing program can get involved with the student-run literary journal, intern at a Chicago publication, or submit an entry to the yearly writing competition of the English Department.
Additionally, students can learn from talented writers at the Annual Writers’ Festival . Students can even submit their work to the school’s annual writing competition. So, if gaining professional writing experience is important, Northwestern might just be what you’re looking for! Plus, Chicago’s iconic landmarks and lakeside beaches provide robust inspiration for writers!
“My Northwestern creative workshops, where I honed my editorial skills, were instrumental in setting me down a career path in publishing.”
– Laura Biagi, Class of 2009
Located in New York City (known colloquially as the Big Apple), Columbia was established in 1754. It’s the fifth-oldest American institution of higher learning. It has around 36,000 students, and people consider it one of the great elite private colleges in America. Like Northwestern, Columbia has a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school. Great writers have attended Columbia, including J.D. Salinger and Federico Garcia Lorca. The creative writing curriculum includes rigorous writing workshops at all levels and seminars exclusively for creative writing students. In these workshops, students produce original works of writing and submit them to classmates and professors for critical analysis. To study at Columbia is to be part of a distinguished group of like-minded writers.
If that isn’t enough to convince you, many consider New York City America’s literary capital. It’s home to major publishing houses, literary journals, picturesque parks, iconic landmarks, and talented authors from around the globe. The Big Apple has no shortage of inspiration for prospective writers!
“Before being accepted into the program, I didn’t have the confidence to critique my work seriously.”
– Mary Mann, Class of 2015
If you prefer to study in a location away from the hustle and bustle of a big city, the University of Iowa might be your answer! Founded in 1847, this public institution has about 31,000 students. It’s located in Iowa City, and the nearest major city is Chicago. However, studying in Iowa can provide an opportunity to go off the beaten path.
Here are some highlights of the university and Iowa City:
● Iowa City is a designated UNESCO City of Literature.
● The city’s annual Book Festival attracts people from across the American Midwest.
● The MFA of the university’s nonfiction writing program has been voted number one in creative nonfiction in the United States.
● Students have access to the university’s literary community, which offers frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and The Iowa Review , an acclaimed literary journal.
● Tennessee Williams is an alumnus of the program.
● Like Columbia, the University of Iowa strongly values the workshop method.
We recommend checking out this video for a deeper dive into the world of creative writing at Iowa.
Emory, founded in 1836, is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. If you prefer a university in a warm climate, Atlanta is a good choice. Compared with cities in the northern states, Atlanta experiences mild winters, though you might get cold snaps and the odd snowfall. Emory has around 15,000 students and has an affiliation with the United Methodist Church.
Emory’s dedicated undergraduate creative writing program draws distinguished visiting scholars and writers. Other notable program highlights include:
● Opportunities to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors
● Faculty who are professional practitioners in the writing field
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● Studies in a range of genres, such as fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting
● Annual writing contests
● Writing awards and scholarships
● The opportunity to work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project
Students will also find writing opportunities outside the classroom in the Atlanta area. The city has several writing organizations and clubs, such as the Atlanta Writers Club , the Georgia Writers Association , and Village Writers Group.
Founded in 1833, Oberlin is a small liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, 31 miles south of Cleveland. It has just under 3,000 students. If you’re seeking a really small school, Oberlin is worth pursuing! It’s known for the robust quality of teachers and the variety of courses in the creative writing program. Two of the courses are Plot and Structure and Race and Poetic Innovation. In addition, you’ll find a robust workshop culture at Oberlin. The downside is that the city lacks opportunities to pursue writing. However, great opportunities exist in other Ohio cities, such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Moreover, Ohio is the home of the late American novelist Toni Morrison.
It’s worth mentioning that Oberlin’s creative writing program has notable alumni, such as Lena Dunham , an actress and writer.
“I feel so consistently lucky to have such dedicated professors. Everyone I’ve worked with in the Creative Writing Program deeply cares about their students both as writers and as people. Classes are small, so you’re able to actually know and trust each other, which is important for productive workshopping.”
– Fiona Warnick, Class of 2022
Chartered as a college in 1812, Hamilton is in the upstate New York village of Clinton, between Syracuse and Albany. It has 2,000 students and 1,350 acres of campus space. Hamilton strongly believes in giving students the freedom to pursue their own interests, an ethos that explains why the college’s motto is “Know Thyself.”
Hamilton’s creative writing program is known for its small classes and plentiful opportunities to intern and publish. Hamilton also has one of the best writing centers in the nation. Students take courses that balance literary study with poetry and prose workshops. The program emphasizes learning to write with attentiveness to form and genre. Students write a creative project that demonstrates originality and attention to language.
If you like a creative writing school that’s “current with the times,” Hamilton has recently renovated List Hall, which houses the program. The hall features collaborative spaces for students and a new landscaped entrance.
Founded in 1764, Brown is a leading research university in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown’s student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose make it distinct. In fact, many American high schoolers dream of studying at Brown! It has just under 10,000 students, and its literary arts program is one of the top MFAs in the United States. Students can choose one of three tracks: fiction, poetry, or digital/cross-disciplinary writing – a plus if your aim is fiction writing, for example! Although students must take certain classes, they can design much of their curriculum. Brown also provides financial aid to students in the program through a first-year fellowship. Additionally, students can teach undergraduate workshops during their second year. Brown is a special place for writers who envision new paths in fiction, poetry, and digital language arts.
It might surprise you that Washington University is in St. Louis, Missouri, rather than Washington, DC. Since 1853, Washington University has dared to challenge the unknown and taken great pride in its teaching, research, and service to society. The university has a renowned creative writing program with several scholarships. The undergraduate English program also offers a concentration, which allows students to specialize in a specific writing genre: fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. The program even has a special concentration in publishing! Students often find internships with companies such as Atlantic Media, Business Insider, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Washington University should be on your list if you already have a specific writing genre in mind!
You might not associate writing with an institute of technology. However, MIT has a wonderful program that features courses in digital media, science writing, and creative writing. Since its incorporation in 1861, MIT has been educating future leaders with a three-to-one student-to-faculty ratio in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Apologies if you were expecting MIT to be in Boston. However, don’t let Cambridge put you off. The city is a haven for book lovers and writers from all walks of life, so you’ll find plenty of writing pursuits outside of class! And when it comes to finding work after graduation, the program provides lots of guidance for navigating the tricky job market.
If you’ve ever watched NCAA football, you’re probably familiar with the University of Michigan. Founded in Detroit in 1817, Michigan is ranked the third-best national undergraduate public university. The university’s main campus is in the small city of Ann Arbor, ranked the number one best small college town in America.
The University of Michigan has a top-notch MFA program. The undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications provide crucial practice in building a writing portfolio and articulating an interest in creative writing. In addition, the university has two student-run literary journals: Xylem Magazine and Fortnight Literary Press . Both publish students’ best works – an excellent way to get your writing noticed!
Screenwriter Jennifer Freides graduated from the program. “I learned to read fast, manage my time, think critically, organize my thoughts, and speak with clarity at U-M.”
With nearly 50,000 students, the University of Michigan is a top choice for those looking for a big school with a great MFA program!
This private research university was founded in 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland, and it takes its name from nineteenth-century Maryland philanthropist Johns Hopkins. With 24,000 students, Johns Hopkins (or JHU, its more common name) ranks consistently among the most prestigious universities in the United States. Novelists John Barth and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie graduated from here, as did the famous horror film director Wes Craven.
Although people know JHU more for its engineering program, it does have a reputable writing program. Students in the program take courses in philosophy and history in addition to classes in prose, poetry, and literature. The creative writing program has journalism, the arts, and publishing internship opportunities. Additionally, short story writers might be interested in the program’s Danielle Alyse Basford Writing Prize .
Baltimore is no stranger to the literary world, as the American writer Edgar Allan Poe spent several years here. His poem The Raven is the namesake of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. You can visit the Poe House and Museum to see the writing desk and chair where Poe created some of his famous work!
Colorado College was founded in 1874 and is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It’s a small liberal arts college with over 2,000 students. People know the college mainly for its Block Plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. Students will find that the creative writing track interweaves craft, imagination, and a lively literary framework. It includes a sequence of four writing workshops and mandatory attendance at the Visiting Writers Series. Attending readings at the Visiting Writers Series will deeply immerse students in the written word at Colorado College. In addition, students will find plenty of opportunities within the program, from AMC college writing contests to the student-led spoken word group, SpeakEasy. If you’re an outdoorsy writer, you’ll love Colorado Springs! It’s surrounded by picturesque hiking opportunities, including Garden of the Gods ! If you envision taking one class at a time at a small liberal arts school, you should consider Colorado College!
New York University (NYU) is another prestigious university in New York City. It was established in 1831 and is currently the largest private university in the United States, with more than 11,000 students. It even has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. As mentioned, New York is the American literary epicenter. Although NYU doesn’t offer a creative writing major, it’s an excellent school for aspiring writers. You’ll still find workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Classes are small, with a maximum of 15 students, and the school has a student-edited literary journal called West 10 th . The school also offers intensive summer writing programs in Florence and Paris, so students can develop their craft while living the writer’s life in Italy or France. The faculty consists of award-winning poets, short story writers, and novelists, and many of them have received Pulitzer Prizes and NEA Fellowships. So, although NYU lacks a creative writing major, it has a fine reputation, small classes, and ample opportunities to develop your writing craft!
So, there you have our list of top creative writing schools. Let’s recap key points from our post:
● Creative writing programs are pretty selective, so you should be genuinely passionate about reading and writing.
● Private schools have the best reputation and small classes. However, they can be really expensive.
● You will need to submit at least one writing sample as part of your application.
● Creative writing programs are heavy in workshop culture.
● New York City is America’s literary capital.
● Most programs have literary journals where you can submit your work.
● A faculty of professional writers will be your teachers.
● Graduates often go on to become authors, editors, and copywriters. Getting into publishing is also a possibility.
Whichever school you choose, it must be the right fit for you! While one might be great for some people, it might not resonate with you. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to visit the school if possible. Even a virtual tour will suffice. We also suggest reaching out to current professors for more information. You can even reach out to current or past students through LinkedIn. Finally, take your time when researching schools. Got more questions about creative writing? We recommend this video !
Thanks for reading!
You’ll want to prioritize a location with a vibrant literary scene rather than one with a warm climate. There should be plenty of opportunities to engage with writing in the community outside the classroom. There should also be various career opportunities within the community after graduation.
The cost will depend on whether the school is public or private. Public school tuition will be roughly $17,000 to $20,000 US. On the other hand, private schools will be considerably more expensive, especially Columbia and Hamilton. You can expect tuition to be between $50,000 and $69,000 US.
Great question! We recommend leaving this to our team of proofreading experts at Proofed! They can check for grammar and punctuation errors and ensure perfect spelling. They will also ensure that the application uses appropriate academic language. Consider submitting a 500-word document for free today!
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May 15, 2024
Whether you studied at a top creative writing university or are a high school dropout who will one day become a bestselling author , you may be considering an MFA in Creative Writing. But is a writing MFA genuinely worth the time and potential costs? How do you know which program will best nurture your writing? If you’re considering an MFA, this article walks you through the best full-time, low residency, and online Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.
Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this article, let’s start with the basics. What is an MFA, anyway?
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications typically require a sample portfolio, usually 10-20 pages (and sometimes up to 30-40) of your best writing. Moreover, you can receive an MFA in a particular genre, such as Fiction or Poetry, or more broadly in Creative Writing. However, if you take the latter approach, you often have the opportunity to specialize in a single genre.
Wondering what actually goes on in a creative writing MFA beyond inspiring award-winning books and internet memes ? You enroll in workshops where you get feedback on your creative writing from your peers and a faculty member. You enroll in seminars where you get a foundation of theory and techniques. Then, you finish the degree with a thesis project. Thesis projects are typically a body of polished, publishable-quality creative work in your genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
You don’t need an MFA to be a writer. Just look at Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison or bestselling novelist Emily St. John Mandel.
Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons you might still want to get a creative writing MFA. The first is, unfortunately, prestige. An MFA from a top program can help you stand out in a notoriously competitive industry to be published.
The second reason: time. Many MFA programs give you protected writing time, deadlines, and maybe even a (dainty) salary.
Third, an MFA in Creative Writing is a terminal degree. This means that this degree allows you to teach writing at the university level, especially after you publish a book.
Fourth: resources. MFA programs are often staffed by brilliant, award-winning writers; offer lecture series, volunteer opportunities, and teaching positions; and run their own (usually prestigious) literary magazines. Such resources provide you with the knowledge and insight you’ll need to navigate the literary and publishing world on your own post-graduation.
But above all, the biggest reason to pursue an MFA is the community it brings you. You get to meet other writers—and share feedback, advice, and moral support—in relationships that can last for decades.
Here are the different types of programs to consider, depending on your needs:
These programs offer full-tuition scholarships and sweeten the deal by actually paying you to attend them.
These programs include attending in-person classes and paying tuition (though many offer need-based and merit scholarships).
Low-residency programs usually meet biannually for short sessions. They also offer one-on-one support throughout the year. These MFAs are more independent, preparing you for what the writing life is actually like.
Held 100% online. These programs have high acceptance rates and no residency requirement. That means zero travel or moving expenses.
The following programs are selected for their balance of high funding, impressive return on investment, stellar faculty, major journal publications , and impressive alums.
1) johns hopkins university , mfa in fiction/poetry.
This two-year program offers an incredibly generous funding package: $39,000 teaching fellowships each year. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and the option to apply for a lecture position after graduation. Many grads publish their first book within three years (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).
The only MFA that offers full and equal funding for every writer. It’s three years long, offers a generous yearly stipend of $30k, and provides full tuition plus a health insurance stipend. Fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting concentrations are available. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $4,000 for the summer.
The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a 2-year program on a residency model for fiction and poetry. This means there are low requirements, and lots of time to write groundbreaking novels or play pool at the local bar. All students receive full funding, including tuition, a living stipend, and subsidized health insurance. The Translation MFA , co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years long but with more intensive coursework. The Nonfiction Writing Program is a prestigious three-year MFA program and is also intensive.
4) university of michigan.
Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students in UMichigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there’s lots to do when you have a $25,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.
This is a 2-3-year program in either fiction or poetry, with an impressive reputation. They also have a demonstrated commitment to “ push back against the darkness of intolerance and injustice ” and have outreach programs in the community.
Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that only occasionally dips into arctic temperatures. All students are fully funded for 2 years, which includes tuition remission and a $32k yearly stipend. Students also get summer funding and—you guessed it—that sweet, sweet health insurance.
In the Brown Literary Arts MFA, students take only one workshop and one elective per semester. It’s also the only program in the country to feature a Digital/Cross Disciplinary Track. Fiction and Poetry Tracks are offered as well.
This 3-year program with fiction, poetry, and nonfiction tracks has many attractive qualities. It’s in “ the lushest desert in the world, ” and was recently ranked #4 in creative writing programs, and #2 in Nonfiction. You can take classes in multiple genres, and in fact, are encouraged to do so. Plus, Arizona’s dry heat is good for arthritis.
This notoriously supportive program is fully funded. Moreover, teaching assistantships that provide a salary, health insurance, and tuition waiver are offered to all students. Tucson is home to a hopping literary scene, so it’s also possible to volunteer at multiple literary organizations and even do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.
With concentrations in fiction and poetry, Arizona State is a three-year funded program in arthritis-friendly dry heat. It offers small class sizes, individual mentorships, and one of the most impressive faculty rosters in the game. Moreover, it encourages cross-genre study.
Funding-wise, everyone has the option to take on a teaching assistantship position, which provides a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a yearly stipend of $25k. Other opportunities for financial support exist as well.
8) new york university.
This two-year program is in New York City, meaning it comes with close access to literary opportunities and hot dogs. NYU also has one of the most accomplished faculty lists anywhere. Students have large cohorts (more potential friends!) and have a penchant for winning top literary prizes. Concentrations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction are available.
Another 2-3 year private MFA program with drool-worthy permanent and visiting faculty. Columbia offers courses in fiction, poetry, translation, and nonfiction. Beyond the Ivy League education, Columbia offers close access to agents, and its students have a high record of bestsellers. Finally, teaching positions and fellowships are available to help offset the high tuition.
Sarah Lawrence offers a concentration in speculative fiction in addition to the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction choices. Moreover, they encourage cross-genre exploration. With intimate class sizes, this program is unique because it offers biweekly one-on-one conferences with its stunning faculty. It also has a notoriously supportive atmosphere, and many teaching and funding opportunities are available.
11) bennington college.
This two-year program boasts truly stellar faculty, and meets twice a year for ten days in January and June. It’s like a biannual vacation in beautiful Vermont, plus mentorship by a famous writer. The rest of the time, you’ll be spending approximately 25 hours per week on reading and writing assignments. Students have the option to concentrate in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Uniquely, they can also opt for a dual-genre focus.
The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available. Additionally, Bennington offers full-immersion teaching fellowships to MFA students, which are extremely rare in low-residency programs.
This two-year program emphasizes Native American and First Nations writing. With truly amazing faculty and visiting writers, they offer a wide range of genres, including screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition, each student is matched with a faculty mentor who works with them one-on-one throughout the semester.
Students attend two eight-day residencies each year, in January and July, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At $12,000 in tuition a year, it boasts being “ one of the most affordable MFA programs in the country .”
VCFA is the only graduate school on this list that focuses exclusively on the fine arts. Their MFA in Writing offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; they also offer an MFA in Literary Translation and one of the few MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults . Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, either in-person or online. Here, they receive one-on-one mentorship that continues for the rest of the semester. You can also do many travel residencies in exciting (and warm) places like Cozumel.
VCFA boasts amazing faculty and visiting writers, with individualized study options and plenty of one-on-one time. Tuition for the full two-year program is approximately $54k.
14) university of texas at el paso.
UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Accordingly, this program is geared toward serious writers who want to pursue teaching and/or publishing. Intensive workshops allow submissions in Spanish and/or English, and genres include poetry and fiction.
No residencies are required, but an optional opportunity to connect in person is available every year. This three-year program costs about $25-30k total, depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.
This 2-year online, no-residency program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. Featuring a supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and an optional yearly field trip to Ireland.
There are many tracks, including publishing, narrative medicine, and teaching creative writing. Moreover, core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, food/travel writing, and the personal essay. Tuition is approximately $31,000 for the entire program, with scholarships available.
Whether you’re aiming for a fully funded, low residency, or completely online MFA program, there are plenty of incredible options available—all of which will sharpen your craft while immersing you in the vibrant literary arts community.
Hoping to prepare for your MFA in advance? You might consider checking out the following:
Inspired to start writing? Get your pencil ready:
Best MFA Creative Writing Programs – References:
With a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian from Wesleyan University as well as MFAs in both Nonfiction Writing and Literary Translation from the University of Iowa, Julia is an experienced writer, editor, educator, and a former Fulbright Fellow. Julia’s work has been featured in The Millions , Asymptote , and The Massachusetts Review , among other publications. To read more of her work, visit www.juliaconrad.net
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Writing has been my passion practically since I learned to read in kindergarten. I would write stories about princesses and my family dog, Gansett. When it came time to look at colleges, I was set on attending one with a strong creative writing program. Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars.
Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major. Because writing skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and because most curricula emphasize broad liberal arts competencies, a degree in creative writing can set you up for success in numerous fields, whether you want to be an editor or a lawyer.
Interested in majoring in creative writing? Learn which schools offer the major and what to look for in a program.
Creative writing is about more than spinning tales. For your major, you’ll generally need to pursue a curriculum grounded in literature, history, foreign language, and other humanities courses, along with distribution courses, if the college requires them.
Most creative writing majors must participate in workshops, in which students present their work and listen to peer critiques, usually with a certain number of advanced courses in the mix. In some cases, colleges will ask you to specialize in a particular genre, such as fiction, poetry, or playwriting.
To succeed in creative writing, you’ll need to have a tough spine, in order to open yourself up to feedback from your classmates and instructors. You may need to give readings in public — if not as an undergraduate, certainly during your career. Of course, a passion for creating is essential, too, as is a willingness to revise your work and learn from the greats and your peers.
A creative writing major opens up doors to many careers, including journalism, content marketing, copywriting, teaching, and others. Even careers that don’t center around writing often have a strong writing component: you’ll need to write reports, deliver presentations, and so on.
Some writers go on to earn an MFA, which will help you hone your craft. It’s also often a prerequisite for teaching creative writing at the college level.
Published authors on faculty.
Many world-renowned authors have another claim to fame: professorships. Writers who have taught their craft include (among many others):
Be aware that as an undergraduate, you may not be able to learn from the greats. That’s why it’s important to look into which courses these faculty teach before you have dreams of being mentored by Salman Rushdie — who is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at NYU.
While many schools that have creative writing majors offer fiction and poetry courses and tracks, there are some niche genres that could be more difficult to find. If you’re interested in playwriting, for example, you won’t find that at every school. Before you decide on a program, be sure it includes the genres you’d like to explore further, whether that’s flash fiction, creative nonfiction, or something else.
The core of most quality creative writing curriculum is workshopping. This means sharing your work in your classes and listening to your peers discuss and critique it. While this may sound intimidating, it can do a lot to help you hone your work and become a better writer. Look for colleges that make this the bedrock of their curriculum.
Are there opportunities to present your work, such as college-sponsored readings where undergraduates can participate? Or, perhaps the school has a great literary journal. At my school, students could submit their plays and have them performed by fellow students.
Agnes Scott College | Decatur | Georgia |
Ashland University | Ashland | Ohio |
Augustana College | Rock Island | Illinois |
Austin College | Sherman | Texas |
Baldwin Wallace University | BW | Berea | Ohio |
Beloit College | Beloit | Wisconsin |
Bennington College | Bennington | Vermont |
Berry College | Mount Berry | Georgia |
Bowling Green State University | BGSU | Bowling Green | Ohio |
Bradley University | Peoria | Illinois |
Brandeis University | Waltham | Massachusetts |
Brooklyn College | Brooklyn | New York |
Brown University | Providence | Rhode Island |
Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania |
Butler University | Indianapolis | Indiana |
California College of the Arts | CCA | San Francisco | California |
Capital University | Columbus | Ohio |
Carnegie Mellon University | CMU | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
Catawba College | Salisbury | North Carolina |
Central Michigan University | CMU | Mount Pleasant | Michigan |
Central Washington University | CWU | Ellensburg | Washington |
Chapman University | Orange | California |
Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Iowa |
Colby College | Waterville | Maine |
College of the Holy Cross | Holy Cross | Worcester | Massachusetts |
Colorado College | Colorado Springs | Colorado |
Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | Illinois |
Columbia University | New York | New York |
Dartmouth College | Hanover | New Hampshire |
Eastern Michigan University | EMU | Ypsilanti | Michigan |
Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg | Florida |
Emerson College | Boston | Massachusetts |
Emory University | Atlanta | Georgia |
Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg | Massachusetts |
Franklin and Marshall College | F&M | Lancaster | Pennsylvania |
George Mason University | Fairfax | Virginia |
George Washington University | GW | Washington | Washington DC |
Hamilton College | Clinton | New York |
Huntingdon College | Montgomery | Alabama |
Ithaca College | Ithaca | New York |
Johns Hopkins University | JHU | Baltimore | Maryland |
Knox College | Galesburg | Illinois |
Laguna College of Art and Design | LCAD | Laguna Beach | California |
Lesley University | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
Lindenwood University | Saint Charles | Missouri |
Linfield College | McMinnville | Oregon |
Loyola University Maryland | Baltimore | Maryland |
Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans | Louisiana |
Macalester College | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MIT | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
Mercer University | Macon | Georgia |
Miami University | Oxford | Ohio |
Millikin University | Decatur | Illinois |
Millsaps College | Jackson | Mississippi |
New School | New York | New York |
Northwestern University | Evanston | Illinois |
Oakland University | Rochester Hills | Michigan |
Oberlin College | Oberlin | Ohio |
Ohio Northern University | ONU | Ada | Ohio |
Ohio University | Athens | Ohio |
Ohio Wesleyan University | Delaware | Ohio |
Oklahoma Baptist University | OBU | Shawnee | Oklahoma |
Otterbein University | Westerville | Ohio |
Pacific University | Forest Grove | Oregon |
Pepperdine University | Malibu | California |
Portland State University | PSU | Portland | Oregon |
Pratt Institute | Brooklyn | New York |
Principia College | Elsah | Illinois |
Providence College | Providence | Rhode Island |
Purdue University | West Lafayette | Indiana |
Rhode Island College | RIC | Providence | Rhode Island |
Rocky Mountain College | RMC | Billings | Montana |
Roger Williams University | RWU | Bristol | Rhode Island |
Saint Mary’s College (Indiana) | Notre Dame | Indiana |
School of the Art Institute of Chicago | SAIC | Chicago | Illinois |
Seattle University | Seattle | Washington |
Seton Hall University | South Orange | New Jersey |
Simmons College | Boston | Massachusetts |
Southern Methodist University | SMU | Dallas | Texas |
Southern Oregon University | SOU | Ashland | Oregon |
Spalding University | Louisville | Kentucky |
State University of New York at Purchase | SUNY Purchase | Purchase | New York |
Stephens College | Columbia | Missouri |
Suffolk University | Boston | Massachusetts |
Texas Christian University | TCU | Fort Worth | Texas |
Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth | Texas |
The State University of New York at Binghamton | SUNY Binghamton | Vestal | New York |
The State University of New York at Buffalo | SUNY Buffalo | Buffalo | New York |
The State University of New York at Stony Brook | SUNY Stony Brook | Stony Brook | New York |
Truman State University | TSU | Kirksville | Missouri |
University of Arizona | Tucson | Arizona |
University of California, Riverside | UC Riverside | Riverside | California |
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Ohio |
University of Evansville | Evansville | Indiana |
University of Houston | Houston | Texas |
University of Idaho | Moscow | Idaho |
University of La Verne | La Verne | California |
University of Maine at Farmington | UMF | Farmington | Maine |
University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida |
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | Michigan |
University of Nebraska Omaha | UNO | Omaha | Nebraska |
University of New Mexico | UNM | Albuquerque | New Mexico |
University of North Carolina at Wilmington | UNC Wilmington | Wilmington | North Carolina |
University of Pittsburgh | Pitt | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Washington |
University of Redlands | Redlands | California |
University of Rochester | Rochester | New York |
University of Southern California | USC | Los Angeles | California |
University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
University of Texas at El Paso | UTEP | El Paso | Texas |
University of the Arts | UArts | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
University of Tulsa | Tulsa | Oklahoma |
University of Washington | Seattle | Washington |
Valparaiso University | Valpo | Valparaiso | Indiana |
Washington University in St. Louis | WashU | Saint Louis | Missouri |
Wellesley College | Wellesley | Massachusetts |
Western Michigan University | WMU | Kalamazoo | Michigan |
Western New England University | WNE | Springfield | Massachusetts |
Western Washington University | WWU | Bellingham | Washington |
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | Massachusetts |
Wichita State University | WSU | Wichita | Kansas |
Widener University | Chester | Pennsylvania |
Wofford College | Spartanburg | South Carolina |
Yeshiva University | New York | New York |
Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio |
No matter what major you’re considering, the first step is ensuring you’re academically comparable to students who were previously accepted to the college or university. Most selective schools use the Academic Index to filter out applicants who aren’t up to their standards.
You’ll also want to demonstrate your fit with the school and specific major with the qualitative components of your application, like your extracurriculars and essays. For a prospective creative writing major, the essay is particularly important because this is a way to demonstrate your writing prowess. Activities might include editing your school’s newspaper or literary journal, publishing your work, and participating in pre-college writing workshops.
Want to know your chances of being accepted to top creative writing schools? Try our Chancing Engine (it’s free). Unlike other calculators, it takes your individual profile into account, including academic stats and qualitative components like your activities. Give it a try and get a jumpstart on your journey as a creative writing major!
Stanford’s Creative Writing Program--one of the best-known in the country--cultivates the power of individual expression within a vibrant community of writers. Many of our English majors pursue a concentration in creative writing, and the minor in Creative Writing is among the most popular minors on campus. These majors and minors participate in workshop-based courses or independent tutorials with Stegner Fellows, Stanford’s distinguished writers-in-residence.
The English major with a Creative Writing emphasis is a fourteen-course major. These fourteen courses comprise eight English courses and six Creative Writing courses.
English majors with a Creative Writing emphasis should note the following:
All courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Courses taken abroad or at other institutions may not be counted towards the workshop requirements.
Any 190 series course (190F, 190G, etc.), 191 series course (191T, etc.), or 192 series course (192V, etc.) counts toward the 190, 191, or 192 requirement.
PWR 1 is a prerequisite for all creative writing courses.
The Minor in Creative Writing offers a structured environment in which students interested in writing fiction or poetry develop their skills while receiving an introduction to literary forms. Students may choose a concentration in fiction, poetry.
In order to graduate with a minor in Creative Writing, students must complete the following three courses plus three courses in either the prose or poetry tracks. Courses counted towards the requirements for the minor may not be applied to student's major requirements. 30 units are required. All courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Suggested order of requirements:
English 90. Fiction Writing or English 91. Creative Nonfiction
English 146S Secret Lives of the Short Story
One 5-unit English literature elective course
English 190. Intermediate Fiction Writing or English 191. Intermediate Creative Nonfiction Writing
English 92. Reading and Writing Poetry
Another English 190, 191, 290. Advanced Fiction, 291. Advanced Nonfiction, or 198L. Levinthal Tutorial
English 92.Reading and Writing Poetry
English 160. Poetry and Poetics
English 192. Intermediate Poetry Writing
Another English 192, or 292.Advanced Poetry or 198L.Levinthal Tutorial
To declare a Creative Writing minor, visit the Student page in Axess. To expedite your declaration, make sure to list all 6 courses you have taken or plan to take for your minor.
Any 190 series course (190F, 190G, etc.), 191series course (191T, etc.), or 192 series course (192V, etc.) counts toward the 190, 191, or 192 requirement.
For more information, visit the Stanford Creative Writing Program.
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Poetry: Jan-Henry Gray, Maya Marshall Prose: Katherine Hill, René Steinke, Igor Webb
Poetry: Paul Robichaud Fiction: Sarah Harris Wallman Nonfiction: Eric Schoeck
Poetry: Leslie Contreras Schwartz, Jim Daniels, Benjamin Garcia Fiction: Karen E. Bender, Shonda Buchanan, Dhonielle Clayton, S. Kirk Walsh Creative Nonfiction: Anna Clark, Matthew Gavin Frank, Donald Quist, Robert Vivian
Poetry: Kyle Dargan, David Keplinger Fiction: Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Stephanie Grant, Patricia Park Nonfiction: Rachel Louise Snyder
Poetry: Cathy Linh Che Prose: Lisa Locascio Nighthawk
Poetry: Genevieve Betts, Michelle Reale Fiction: Stephanie Feldman, Joshua Isard, Tracey Levine, Eric Smith Literature: Matthew Heitzman, Christopher Varlack, Elizabeth Vogel, Jo Ann Weiner
Poetry: Genevieve Betts, Michelle Reale Fiction: Stephanie Feldman, Joshua Isard, Tracey Levine, Eric Smith
Poetry: Sally Ball, Natalie Diaz, Alberto Álvaro Ríos, Safiya Sinclair Fiction: Matt Bell, Jenny Irish, Tara Ison, Mitchell Jackson, T. M. McNally Creative Nonfiction: Sarah Viren
Poetry: Dexter Booth, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Adam Gellings, Tess Taylor, Vanessa Angélica Villareal Fiction: Kirstin Chen, Edan Lepucki, Sarah Monette, Nayomi Munaweera, Vi Khi Nao, Naomi J. Williams, Kyle Winkler Nonfiction: Cass Donish, Kate Hopper, Lauren Markham, Thomas Mira y Lopez, Lisa Nikolidakis, Terese Mailhot
Poetry: Michael Kleber-Diggs Fiction: Stephan Eirik Clark, Lindsay Starck Nonfiction: Anika Fajardo Playwriting: Carson Kreitzer, TyLie Shider, Sarah Myers Screenwriting: Stephan Eirik Clark, Andy Froemke
Poetry: Katy Didden, Mark Neely Fiction: Cathy Day, Sean Lovelace Nonfiction: Jill Christman, Silas Hansen Screenwriting: Rani Deighe Crowe, Matt Mullins
Jess Arndt, Shiv Kotecha, Mirene Arsanios, Hannah Black, Trisha Low, Christoper Perez, Julian Talamantez Brolaski, Simone White
Poetry: Lucy English, Tim Liardet, John Strachan, Samantha Walton, Gerard Woodward Fiction: Gavin James Bower, Celia Brayfield, Alexia Casale, Anne-Marie Crowhurst, Lucy English, Nathan Filer, Aminatta Forna, Samantha Harvey, Philip Hensher, Steve Hollyman, Emma Hooper, Claire Kendal, Natasha Pulley, Kate Pullinger, C.J. Skuse, Gerard Woodward Nonfiction: Celia Brayfield, Lily Dunn, Richard Kerridge Scriptwriting: Robin Mukherjee
Poetry: Lucy English, Tim Liardet, Gerard Woodward Fiction: Gavin James Bower, Celia Brayfield, Anne-Marie Crowhurst, Nathan Filer, Aminatta Forna, Samantha Harvey, Philip Hensher, Claire Kendal, Natasha Pulley, Kate Pullinger, Gerard Woodward Nonfiction: Lily Dunn, Richard Kerridge
Mel Allen, Leanna James Blackwell, Jennifer Baker, Melanie Brooks, María Luisa Arroyo Cruzado, Shahnaz Habib, Susan Ito, Karol Jackowski, Yi Shun Lai, Anna Mantzaris, Meredith O’Brien, Mick Powell, Suzanne Strempek Shea, Tommy Shea, Kate Whouley
Poetry: Jennifer Chang, Michael Dumanis, Randall Mann, Craig Morgan Teicher, Mark Wunderlich Fiction: Peter Cameron, Jai Chakrabarti, Stacey D’Erasmo, Monica Ferrell, Rebecca Makkai, Stuart Nadler, Téa Obreht, Moriel Rothman-Zecher, Katy Simpson Smith, Taymour Soomro Nonfiction: Garrard Conley, Sabrina Orah Mark, Spencer Reece, Lance Richardson, Shawna Kay Rodenberg, Hugh Ryan, Greg Wrenn
Poetry: Tina Chang, Joseph Weil Fiction: Amir Ahmdi Arian, Thomas Glave, Leslie L. Heywood, Claire Luchette, Liz Rosenberg, Jaimee Wriston-Colbert, Alexi Zentner Nonfiction: Amir Ahmdi Arian, Leslie L. Heywood
Poetry: Julie Hensley, Young Smith Fiction: Julie Hensley, Robert Dean Johnson Nonfiction: Robert Dean Johnson, Evan J. Massey Playwriting: Young Smith
Poetry: Martin Corless-Smith, Sara Nicholson, Taryn Schwilling Fiction: Mitch Wieland (Director), Anna Caritj Creative Nonfiction: Chris Violet Eaton, Clyde Moneyhun
Poetry: Andrea Cohen, Karl Kirchwey, Robert Pinsky Fiction: Leslie Epstein, Jennifer Haigh, Ha Jin
Odile Cazenave, Yuri Corrigan, Margaret Litvin, Christopher Maurer, Roberta Micaleff, Robert Pinsky (advising), Stephen Scully, Sassan Tabatabai, J. Keith Vincent, William Waters, Dennis Wuerthner, Cathy Yeh, Anna Zielinska-Elliott
Poetry: Abigail Cloud, Amorak Huey, Sharona Muir, F. Dan Rzicznek, Larissa Szporluk, Jessica Zinz-Cheresnick Fiction: Joe Celizic, Lawrence Coates, Reema Rajbanshi, Michael Schulz
Poetry: Kimberly Johnson, Lance Larsen, Michael Lavers, John Talbot Fiction: Chris Crowe, Ann Dee Ellis, Spencer Hyde, Stephen Tuttle Nonfiction: Joey Franklin, Patrick Madden
Poetry: Julie Agoos, Ben Lerner Fiction: Joshua Henkin, Madeleine Thien Playwriting: Dennis A. Allen II, Elana Greenfield
Choosing a great creative writing school, creative writing rankings by degree level, best schools for creative writing in the united states, 25 top schools in creative writing.
There were about 80 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.
There were about 119 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available.
Embrace your passion for storytelling and learn the professional writing skills you'll need to succeed with our online MFA in Creative Writing. Write your novel or short story collection while earning a certificate in the Online Teaching of Writing or Professional Writing, with no residency requirement.
There were about 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.
There were about 37 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available.
There were approximately 174 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.
There were about 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available.
There were about 48 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year.
There were roughly 37 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.
There were approximately 53 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.
There were about 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.
There were roughly 46 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available.
There were roughly 40 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.
There were roughly 51 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available.
There were approximately 30 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year.
There were about 50 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available.
There were approximately 28 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.
There were about 4 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.
There were roughly 6 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.
There were about 19 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley in the most recent year we have data available.
There were roughly 100 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.
There were about 8 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year.
There were roughly 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available.
There were about 53 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.
There were roughly 73 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent data year.
There were roughly 26 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent year we have data available.
Honorable mentions.
Rank | College | Location |
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33 | Providence, RI | |
34 | Ann Arbor, MI | |
35 | Saint Charles, MO | |
36 | Washington, DC | |
37 | Houston, TX | |
38 | Philadelphia, PA | |
39 | Tempe, AZ | |
40 | Flagstaff, AZ | |
41 | Champaign, IL | |
42 | San Marcos, TX | |
43 | Charlottesville, VA |
Region |
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Associate degrees in creative writing, master's degrees in creative writing, bachelor's degrees in creative writing, doctor's degrees in creative writing, rankings in majors related to creative writing, majors similar to creative writing.
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
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3,129 | |
1,835 | |
853 | |
563 |
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College Success
02.03.2023 • 11 min read
Subject Matter Expert
Learn about the top colleges for creative writing, tips on what to consider when choosing a creative writing major, and answers to frequently asked questions.
In This Article
What to consider about college for creative writing majors, best literary colleges faqs.
Writing well is a tremendous asset in nearly every industry. In fact, one of the top skills employers look for in employees is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively through writing .
Completing a degree at one of the top colleges for creative writing can deliver more career opportunities than you may think. You could work in publishing, media, higher education, or marketing and advertising.
You can also use your storytelling and creative thinking skills to work as a freelancer. As an independent contractor, you can set your own rates and choose your work hours.
This introduction to 12 of the best colleges for creative writing majors will help you select the right program for your career goals. We’ll even tell you what to look for when comparing some of the leading literary colleges. Let’s get started!
Students who choose to enroll in a creative writing program are looking at factors like location, curriculum, and the quality of the instructors.
While many differences exist, all creative writing degree programs offer instruction in the primary literary forms:
Creative nonfiction
Some schools offer instruction in additional forms, including:
Screenwriting
Playwriting
Digital writing
When selecting a program you would enjoy, also make sure the instruction fits your learning needs.
Some schools offer seminars, resident writers, literary journals, and other perks beyond the standard workshops and courses.
The following 12 programs currently rank among the best writing programs offered in the U.S.
The Undergraduate Creative Writing Program at Columbia University boasts one of the most prestigious literary histories.
Well-known writers like J.D. Salinger, Federico Garcia Lorca, Eudora Welty, Langston Hughes, and Jack Kerouac have taken creative writing courses at the university. The roster of instructors in the undergraduate program is equally as impressive.
The program offers seminars designed for creative writers plus courses in the following writing forms:
Literary nonfiction
Dramatic writing
Students also have access to a thriving School of Arts and can move on to the prestigious MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing program.
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$65,524 (without aid) | 8,148 | In Person |
The Undergraduate Creative Writing Program at Emory University started more than 30 years ago. It remains one of the most reputable colleges for aspiring writers ready to start professional careers.
The university requires an application and instructor permission to enter all creative writing courses. Students can major in creative writing or participate in creative writing workshops while completing other degree programs.
The school provides writing workshops and courses in the following disciplines:
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$57,948 (without aid) | 7,130 | In Person |
Brown University is one of the leading universities for English literature and creative writing. They are also among the best colleges for writers interested in music, performance arts, and visual arts.
The Undergraduate Department of Literary Arts offers cross-disciplinary courses in all of those disciplines for students pursuing degrees in creative writing. Students can select from a diverse catalog of creative writing workshops, literature courses, independent study courses, and honors workshops.
Creative writing courses are available in the following disciplines:
Cross-disciplinary writing
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$65,146 (without aid) | 7,349 | In Person |
Colorado College offers a creative writing track for English majors who wish to focus on creative writing. The program offers more than the typical writing workshops and seminars at some of the other best colleges for creative writing. In fact, many of the elective courses are taught by guest professors. These distinguished guests are writers themselves.
Students benefit from multiple literary resources exclusive to the college, including:
Hairstreak Butterfly Review and other magazines and publications
Visiting Writers Series
Writing contests
Literary publishing practicum
Student-led spoken word group (SpeakEasy)
Campus printing press studio
Fine Arts Center
Specialized library collections
These benefits make Colorado College one of the leading colleges for creative writing majors able to attend classes in Colorado Springs. The creative writing faculty includes some published authors, making it a top choice for authors as well.
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$65,028 (without aid) | 2,266 | In Person |
Duke University may offer the best creative writing program for students with a shared interest in theater and performance arts. Students have access to courses in theater and documentary studies.
The school also has a collection of writing courses, workshops, and seminars in the following writing forms:
Travel writing
Documentary writing
Students at Duke have many opportunities to learn from other writers through the writers-in-residence program. The university also invests heavily in conferences, readings, and visiting speakers for the creative writing program.
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$63,054 (without aid) | 6,883 | In Person |
Cornell University allows students to enroll as English majors with a concentration in creative writing. Students can also complete courses from the creative writing program as minors.
Writing workshops are available in the following literary forms:
Narrative writing
The university is home to a reputable reading series where multiple published authors visit for live readings and social receptions. This college is excellent for authors interested in networking with other authors.
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$63,200 (without aid) | 25,582 | In Person |
Northwestern University was one of the first colleges in the U.S. to offer an undergraduate creative writing program. Today, the school has a highly competitive creative writing major . It serves as a concentration within the English department.
Students have access to workshops and courses in the following disciplines:
Cross-genres
This university ranks as one of the best literary colleges in part because the faculty includes award-winning authors. The school hosts a Festival of Writing every spring, and students have opportunities to network with and learn from visiting writers.
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$63,468 (without aid) | 22,933 | In Person |
The creative writing program at Oberlin College offers a collaborative and immersive experience for writers who want the freedom to experiment.
The program focuses on workshops where students learn from one another while preparing for several literary careers. It’s a studio environment best suited to students who want to work closely with a small group of peers.
Oberlin also offers a wide variety of courses in the following disciplines:
Translation
Hybrid forms
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$61,965 (without aid) | 2,942 | In Person |
Washington University is home to one of the most reputable graduate programs for writing. It only makes sense they also made the list of the top colleges for creative writing undergraduate programs.
The 16-credit creative writing certificate can be taken with any bachelor’s degree major and offers students a workshop model of instruction. Students in this program learn how to become better writers by writing alongside current professional writers.
The program focuses on courses within the 3 primary forms of writing:
All creative writing courses take the form of workshops. This format allows students to read and critique one another’s work in a professional and inclusive environment. Instructors are professional writers with qualifications well-suited to guiding new writers toward lucrative writing careers.
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$60,590 (without aid) | 16,973 | In Person |
Wichita State University is an outstanding college for writers who want to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees from the same institution. The school offers a studio-academic Master of Fine Arts program for students studying fiction or poetry at the most advanced level.
The program allows undergraduate students to major or minor in creative writing. They have access to visiting writers, a school literary journal, and national press internships.
This program's course selection covers the 3 primary forms of writing
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$8,860 (without aid) | 16,097 | In Person |
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is an excellent choice for writers interested in transferring credits from other institutions or online programs. The creative writing degree program allows students to transfer up to 90 credits and offers competitive pricing per credit hour for the remaining courses.
Unlike the other programs in this list, all courses at SNHU are virtual. SNHU is one of the best colleges for creative writing majors who value the flexibility of online classes.
Four concentration options are available for this program:
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$15,380 (without aid) | 2,998 | Online |
The creative writing program at Boise State University is ideal for students who want to learn from acclaimed writers with bestselling novels and prize-winning poetry collections to their credit.
The program offers theory classes with a wide range of modern writing disciplines, including speculative fiction and graphic novels. Most courses focus on the following writing forms:
Boise State is also home to the literary journal The Idaho Review and the Free Poetry chapbook series. Students may have the opportunity to work with those publications to gain experience prior to graduation.
Annual Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment | Online or In Person |
$8,364 (without aid) | 25,830 | In Person |
What exactly are you looking for when comparing the finest literary colleges? Consider these factors to help you select the right programs.
You can save money on your education by completing some courses online. But make sure the credits are transferable to the school offering your creative writing program.
For example, Golden Gate University’s Degrees+ powered by Outlier allows students to take courses online at a fraction of the price of traditional college. Students can earn their associate degree and transfer their credits into over 500 different institutions to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
The best creative writing programs have a reputation for high-quality education from prestigious and trustworthy instructors. Make sure you align with the values and vision of your chosen institution.
Keep in mind many quality schools out there to look into. Take the time to do some research, ask former students, and speak with an advisor.
The top colleges for writers will offer a wide selection of courses related to writing, literature, liberal arts, history, and more. They may also give writers the chance to earn certifications to enter into lucrative careers.
An exceptional creative writing program produces successful graduates. Look at the percentage of students who complete their degree and how many go on to graduate school or successful careers in writing, editing, research, or reporting.
Can you make it to on-campus classes without neglecting other responsibilities like managing a full-time job while going to school ? Are there options to attend some or all courses online for your convenience? Figure out what your needs are and make sure you can commit to your education.
Many high-quality college programs come with a high price tag. But you can cut your college costs. Fill out a FAFSA —Free Application for Federal Student Aid—and look into grant and scholarship opportunities to get free money to help pay for school.
A bachelor’s degree in creative writing can prepare you for a career in technical or creative writing, reporting, editing, or proofreading. You can build a career writing everything from novels and short stories to technical manuals and marketing materials for businesses.
Several editing and reporting jobs are available to writers with a solid command of grammar and a high level of writing ability. Almost any career you may go into in the future will value your writing skills.
Degrees in creative writing and literature are among the most popular for those interested in building careers in writing. Other excellent degree options include journalism, liberal arts, and even history.
College history programs are notorious for demanding written papers, and the knowledge gained may allow graduates to specialize in historical writing.
Studying the sciences is another lucrative career option, combining writing with specialized knowledge. As of December 2022, science writers earned an average of $63,331 per year.
Science writers may:
Edit a science journal
Research and write grant proposals
Write training material and research summaries in the medical field
Being able to articulate yourself and your ideas clearly is an in-demand skill in nearly any industry. No matter if you are considering going back to school in your 40s or pursuing writing right out of high school, a creative writing degree is a solid investment.
A creative writing degree is worth the investment if you’re serious about building a new career based on writing. You can also select a minor or earn a professional certificate to hone your skills and specialize in a field of interest.
By graduating college with such a sought-after skill, you’ll set yourself up for career success.
Outlier (winner of TIME Best Inventions 2020) and Golden Gate University (#1 school for working professionals) have redesigned the experience of earning a college degree to minimize cost and maximize outcomes. Explore a revolutionary way to earn your college degree:
Here’s how to write a scholarship essay. Learn what it is and why it is important in this step-by-step guide with tips and examples.
Former Stanford Director of Admissions
Lots of scholarships for online students are available. Here’s a list of the top 10 ones around. Also, learn the steps to apply for scholarships.
This article provides a list of the best part-time jobs for college students and how to combine a job with college responsibilities.
21 of the highest paying online degrees [2023], 7 best self-paced online college programs [2023], diploma vs. degree: key differences, 15 highest paying jobs with an associate degree, 8 reasons why having a college degree is important, day in the life of a degrees+ student.
Updated: February 29, 2024
Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by 1,501 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.
We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.
Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.
For Creative Writing
The process of selecting a college for four years—four significant years—of one’s life is never easy. What further complicates this process is the fact that more applications are flying into pretty much every school than ever before. What contradicts this idea, however, is the reality: that there are multiple schools that present terrific opportunities for each type of student . There are multiple ‘best creative writing colleges’. So creative writers, fear not! If you don’t believe me, check out some pretty awesome programs below.
Since its inception in 2010, The Adroit Journal has been committed to helping high school writers unlock their potentials while finding the undergraduate writing community for them. High school writers should check out our free, annual online Summer Mentorship Program , which will open to applications on March 15th, as well as our Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose , which recognize spectacular high school and college writers each year. You may wish to additionally check out our summer workshop, camp, and program guide for high school creative writers , as well as our tips for high school teen writers .
No matter where you choose to spend your college years, be sure to spend them with us! By signing up below, you’ll receive updates each time we open a submission period or release an issue, and you’ll receive our 2019 Guide to Colleges Every Creative Writer Should Consider . (Note: If you are already subscribed to our mailing list, you will already receive this guide.)
Atlanta, Georgia Acceptance Rate: 26.8% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,829 US News & World Rank: 21 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019
Where to begin? Beautiful campus, beautiful weather, and some of the best creative writing resources a college can hope to have. Emory University is the home of previous U.S. Poet Laureate (and Queen) Natasha Trethewey, as well as a sterling set of core faculty, visiting lecturers, and fellows.
English & Creative Writing Major Creative Writing Minor Honors Program in Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty Page Creative Writing Fellows Page Raymond Danowski Poetry Library
Charlottesville, Virginia Acceptance Rate: 29.0% Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,483 US News & World Rank: 25 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019
Boasting another beautiful campus, the University of Virginia may be of particular interest to writers interested in concentrating in either poetry or prose writing for their undergraduate years. Specifically, the school hosts two specific two-year Area Programs dedicated to these areas—unlike any institution I’ve come across—with a terrific faculty (Lisa Russ Spaar, all hail) to boot.
English Major Distinguished Majors Program Creative Writing for Undergraduates Area Program in Poetry Writing Area Program in Literary Prose
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate: 10.4% Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,746 US News & World Rank: 8 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 5, 2019
Of course, I may happen to be biased— I’m a happy alum of Penn, and studied English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Consumer Psychology —but this means I can confidently say that through a refined liberal arts focus at the University of Pennsylvania , you will learn to write while also finding another interest—any interest—to write about. Penn also has an unrivaled internship program called RealArts@Penn, which provides students with approximately thirty diverse, meaningful internships open to the Penn community, and gives each $4,000 to ensure they can afford to do them. You can be sure that your creative writing portfolio will be read—in fact, Penn seeks to recruit the nation’s top young writers and provide them with admissions advocacy through the Kelly Writers House, a non-residential haven for writers and creative types of all kinds that hosts more than 300 events per year. The Writers House is also home to an incredibly tight-knit community of passionate writers and readers that is always pulling another chair up to the table. To find out more information about these opportunities, click on the “Kelly Writers House” and “Writing Recruitment Opportunity” links below. If interested in the recruitment opportunity, please contact Associate Director of Writing Recruitment Jamie-Lee Josselyn, whose contact information is available on the Kelly Writers House website. (By the way, it’s not at all restricted to Early Decision, it’s not at all restricted to prospective English Majors, and it’s not at all restricted to those who can afford full tuition.) No, you aren’t dreaming.
Department of English English Major with a Concentration in Creative Writing Kelly Writers House Writing Recruitment Opportunity RealArts @ Penn Internship Program Department of Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty
Princeton, New Jersey Acceptance Rate: 7.4% Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,391 US News & World Rank: 1 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019
The faculty at Princeton University is undeniably stacked: Jeffrey Eugenides, Paul Muldoon, Joyce Carol Oates, James Richardson, Tracy K. Smith… the list goes on. No doubt it will be an intense four years, but Princeton is a tough one to say “no” to.
Lewis Center for the Arts Princeton Poetry Festival Creative Writing Faculty Page Creative Writing Program Reading Series
St. Louis, Missouri Acceptance Rate: 17.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,401 US News & World Rank: 19 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019
It’s no secret that Washington University in St. Louis is a great place to write—it’s got one of the top Master of Fine Arts programs in the world for creative writing. With a number of certifiably awesome opportunities, it’s also a great place for undergrads… and the fact that they have a specific scholarship dedicated to enabling the best writers to come to WashU is pretty cool, too. P.S.—Mary Jo Bang, Carl Phillips, francine harris. I rest my case.
Undergraduate English Program Concentration in Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty English and/or Writing Minor Howard Nemerov Writing Scholarship
New Haven, Connecticut Acceptance Rate: 6.3% Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,477 US News & World Rank: 3 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019
From what I’ve heard, being on Yale University ‘s campus is kind of like being in a never-ending creative paradise. Especially if you know where to look. The programs are fantastic (duh—it’s Yale), and Yale students can write —poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and plays. And the school is near New York City, and home to the fabulous Yale University Press. Also, the students do cool things like this (shoutout to previous Adroit prose reader Roger Pellegrini!) and this (shoutout to previous Adroit Managing Editor Alexa Derman!).
Undergraduate English Major Creative Writing at Yale Creative Writing Faculty Writing Concentration
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate: 30.7% Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,565 US News & World Rank: 36 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019
Although perhaps not known as as the most creative of schools, Bucknell University buzzes with excitement on the poetry front. Other than being home to Bucky the Bison, Bucknell is home to the stunning Stadler Center for Poetry, which brings a number of mix of iconic literary figures and fresh emerging perspectives to Bucknell through an active reading series and two Stadler Fellow seats. Furthermore, Bucknell students (and, actually, all undergraduate students) have enhanced access to the opportunity of studying poetry as part of the annual Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, which brings two inspiring poets to town and awards full-tuition fellowships to ten undergraduate poets finishing their sophomore, junior, or senior years. ( Disclaimer: I was a Younger Poet Fellow last summer, so I may be a biased. But: Apply, even if you aren’t a Bucknell student. Trust me. ) The 32nd annual Seminar will take place in June 2016.
Bucknell University English Major Creative Writing Concentration English & Creative Writing Faculty Stadler Center for Poetry
New York, New York Acceptance Rate: 35.5% Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,985 US News & World Rank: 30 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019
Another undeniably exciting place to study creative writing (of pretty much any genre) is New York University . NYU has not only a fabulous core faculty, but also a talented pool of graduate students working towards their Masters of Fine Arts. This will provide you with a terrific mix of perspectives throughout your four years. And similar to Yale (perhaps a result of the aforementioned faculty), NYU has a fantastically creative student body (with the possible exception of the Stern kids), and the students can write . And New York City.
Creative Writing Program Creative Writing Faculty Creative Writing Undergraduate Program Literary Publications Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House
Gambier, Ohio Acceptance Rate: 25.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,662 US News & World Rank: 30 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019
It seems almost ironic that Kenyon College follows in the list after New York University, seeing as the two are almost opposites: Kenyon is a small rural school, while New York is gigantic and, well, in New York. I say almost opposites because both hold terrific opportunities for student writers. Kenyon is a well-known strong program for creative writers, perhaps because of its world-class Kenyon Review and the annual Kenyon Young Writers Workshop. Whatever the reason, it deserves the acclaim—with an incredible faculty and a strong student body (including an unbelievably large amount of students recognized in the Adroit Prizes !).
Kenyon College English Department Creative Writing at Kenyon Kenyon College English Faculty Kenyon College Literary Fellows The Kenyon Review & KR Online Kenyon Review Associates Program Kenyon Young Writers Workshop
Stanford, California Acceptance Rate: 5.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,019 US News & World Rank: 7 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 3, 2019
Stanford University is strong across multiple areas of undergraduate study, clearly, but in the past has not been known by the mainstream for its creative writing resources. Having said that, the school prides itself on holding one of the premier fellowships for rising poets and fiction writers in the entire world—the Wallace Stegner Fellowship Program. This program trickles down into the undergraduate realm through instruction, and (obviously) through the establishment of a talented writing community. Also, the presence of strong minds on the core faculty is undeniable—looking at you, Adam Johnson, Eavan Boland, and Tobias Wolff. Also, Stanford probably has the most gorgeous campus in the history of the earth, and rumor has it they are looking for more writers…
Stanford University English Department Stanford University Undergraduate Creative Writing Program Wallace Stegner Fellowship Program Stanford University Core Creative Writing Professors Stanford University Visiting Creative Writing Professors Stanford University Lecturers in Creative Writing
Boston, Massachusetts Acceptance Rate: 49.2% Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,765 US News & World Rank: Unlisted 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019
Emerson College is home to an incredible Writing, Literature & Publishing program, as well as to the nationally-renowned literary publications Ploughshares and Redivider . It’s also located in central Boston, and loaded with a strong faculty. What more could you want?
Writing, Literature & Publishing Program Undergraduate Programs W, L & P Faculty Literary Publications Careers & Internships in W, L & P
Middlebury, Vermont Acceptance Rate: 17.2% Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,526 US News & World Rank: 5 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019
Middlebury College is another clear choice. Set in scenic Vermont, the school is home to the prestigious literary publication New England Review and a host of significant creative writing resources and faculty members. For example, rising undergraduate seniors have the opportunity to apply to attend the world-renowned Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.
Department of English and American Literature Creative Writing Offerings Creative Writing Faculty Undergraduates at Bread Loaf Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference New England Review
Davidson, North Carolina Acceptance Rate: 21.7% Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,770 US News & World Rank: 10 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 2, 2019
Davidson College is another one you might overlook in your college search—after all, it’s quite small and nestled in a small town in North Carolina—but don’t let yourself miss it! Aside from having a department with resources, Davidson has a strong faculty and a $30,000 annual scholarship for a creative writer to study (any subject) at Davidson. Pretty cool, if you ask me.
English Department Creative Writing Offerings English/Creative Writing Faculty & Staff Honors Program Patricia Cornwall Creative Writing Scholarship
Barnard College Bennington College Bryn Mawr College Carnegie Mellon University Columbia University Harvard University Hollins University Johns Hopkins University Knox College Oberlin College Sewanee: The University of the South Skidmore College University of California, Berkeley University of Chicago University of Iowa University of Miami University of Michigan
These lists comprise only a few of the many schools with excellent programs. Many more perhaps belong on this list but, due to space constraints, were not added. Look at this list as a start, and good luck, seniors!
Peter LaBerge founded The Adroit Journal in 2010, as a high school sophomore. His work appears in Crazyhorse, Harvard Review, Indiana Review, Iowa Review, Kenyon Review Online, Pleiades, and Tin House, among others. He is the recipient of a 2020 Pushcart Prize.
Thanks so much for this! Applied to a lot of these schools–so glad I did!
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Our MFA is designed for the writer interested in an immersive writing experience while expanding their knowledge of literary traditions.
Students in the MFA program focus on perfecting their craft, completing courses in literary tradition and practice.
Find out more about the classes offered in our program.
Meet our incredible faculty.
Read our Learning Expectations for the MFA
Our program is designed to be flexible, yet rigorous. MFA students complete coursework that includes two to four residential summers in Sewanee, Tennessee, based on their decisions to takes online courses in the fall or spring. We work with you to create a degree path based on your needs.
MFA students will take eight courses total. Curriculum consists of a combination of writing workshops and courses in forms, craft or literature.
Following their final semester coursework, MFA students complete their thesis project in fulfillment of their final two credits. Working closely with their advisor, students will complete a manuscript of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or dramatic writing.
Amanda Shires, Singer-songwriter | Nashville, TN
After spending much of her life on vans and tour buses, Amanda, a singer-songwriter, fiddle player, and poet, craved the stimulation of school. In an interview with Southern Living , the Grammy Award-winning artist said of her decision to pursue an MFA at the School of Letters, "I am fascinated by words, down to the letters that make them up. I wanted to learn more about poetics and how to get better at writing."
Now with seven solo albums (and an MFA) under her belt, Amanda is a seasoned storyteller and performer. She credits what she learned at the School of Letters for making her a more precise and intentional songwriter.
"Before attending Sewanee, I was writing from instinct alone. Now, I have reasons for word choices and reasons that I go one way or another with phrasing."
Her summers in Sewanee also reframed her perspective on writer's block.
"I learned that there's no such thing as writer's block. If writer's block really existed, no one would ever graduate or pass classes. Writer's block is an excuse. If you are not writing anything good at the moment, that's something different and something you have to work through."
Shires' most recent album was named one of the New York Times best albums of the year.
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The University of Iowa offers top-notch academic programming in more than 100 areas. Students looking to hone their leadership skills have many options, too: They can enroll in the LeaderShape ...
Acceptance rate 39%. Net price $39,775. SAT range 1390-1540. The University of Rochester is strong academically (# 47 in National Universities, # 30 in Best Value Schools), has an excellent research program, caring professors and many resources (labs, many....
University of Virginia-Main Campus offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 6 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 6 Master's degrees. Columbia University in the City of New York offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs.
The cost of earning an online creative writing degree can vary significantly by school. The semester-based schools on our list range from $180 to $494 per credit. Over a 120-credit degree, this ...
University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school's undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing ...
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) Visitor7, Knight Library, CC BY-SA 3.0. Starting off the list is one of the oldest and most venerated Creative Writing programs in the country, the MFA at the University of Oregon. Longtime mentor, teacher, and award-winning poet Garrett Hongo directs the program, modeling its studio-based approach to one-on ...
24. University of Miami. For aspiring writers interested in expressing themselves in a language other than English, the creative writing program at the University of Miami's curriculum is uniquely inspired by nearby multilingual communities. Polyglot writers are encouraged to explore literature in their own languages.
Elon, NC. 67%. $46,985 per year. Harvard University. Cambridge, MA. 3.59%. $56,550 per year. To save you the worry of searching through all of the creative writing programs the country has to offer, here are the top thirteen best colleges for creative writing. 1.
1. Northwestern University. Established in 1851, Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois (just outside Chicago). With approximately 22,000 students, it's a private institution with a six-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. Professors in the creative writing program are award-winning authors.
Right out of undergrad, Brown students boasted an exceptional 81% admission rate to med school and an 81% admission rate to law school. Enrollment: 7,639. Cost of Attendance: $84,828. Median SAT: 1530. Median ACT: 35. Acceptance Rate: 5%. Retention Rate: 99%. Graduation Rate: 96%. #3 College for Creative Writing.
Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 6) University of Arizona. This 3-year program with fiction, poetry, and nonfiction tracks has many attractive qualities. It's in "the lushest desert in the world," and was recently ranked #4 in creative writing programs, and #2 in Nonfiction. You can take classes in multiple genres, and in ...
I would write stories about princesses and my family dog, Gansett. When it came time to look at colleges, I was set on attending one with a strong creative writing program. Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars. Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major.
Creative writing program professors and alumni say creative writing programs cultivate a variety of in-demand skills, including the ability to communicate effectively. "While yes, many creative ...
It is hard to beat Johns Hopkins University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in creative writing. Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. More information about a bachelor's in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University. Request Information. 5.
Creative Writing. Stanford's Creative Writing Program--one of the best-known in the country--cultivates the power of individual expression within a vibrant community of writers. Many of our English majors pursue a concentration in creative writing, and the minor in Creative Writing is among the most popular minors on campus.
Our list of 255 MFA programs for creative writers includes essential information about low-residency and full-residency graduate creative writing programs in the United States and other English-speaking countries to help you decide where to apply. It also includes MA programs and PhD programs.
Yes. 2. Columbia University. Columbia is another university that offers a world-class creative writing program and a wide range of course options. Its location in New York City is ideal for internship and job opportunities with major publishers, literary journals, and award-winning authors.
Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 1.47M citations received by 121K academic papers made by 427 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.
A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall. There were about 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in creative writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
1. Columbia University. The Undergraduate Creative Writing Program at Columbia University boasts one of the most prestigious literary histories. Well-known writers like J.D. Salinger, Federico Garcia Lorca, Eudora Welty, Langston Hughes, and Jack Kerouac have taken creative writing courses at the university.
Gainesville, FL ·. University of Florida ·. Graduate School. ·. 1 review. Master's Student: Overall, the University of Florida seems to be a great school as far as rankings and attendance rates go. Despite the political turmoil going on in the state of Florida, there seems to be a relatively strong student body of undergraduate students.
Music 1046. Painting and Drawing 1066. Performing arts 1020. Photography 1196. Sculpture 1066. Singing and Vocal Performance 1091. UX/UI Desgin 1001. Below is the list of 100 best universities for Creative Writing in the World ranked based on their research performance: a graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by these ...
AWP's Guide to Writing Programs is a free, searchable database of graduate and undergraduate writing programs in the US and abroad. Each member program listing contains information about faculty, admissions, requirements of study, and tuition and financial aid. ... Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Playwriting, Writing for Children ...
Creative Writing Program Creative Writing Faculty Creative Writing Undergraduate Program Literary Publications Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House. 9 | Kenyon College. Gambier, Ohio Acceptance Rate: 25.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,662 US News & World Rank: 30 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019
I wanted to learn more about poetics and how to get better at writing." Now with seven solo albums (and an MFA) under her belt, Amanda is a seasoned storyteller and performer. She credits what she learned at the School of Letters for making her a more precise and intentional songwriter. "Before attending Sewanee, I was writing from instinct alone.