best creative writing colleges in massachusetts

25 Best colleges for Creative Writing in Massachusetts

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in Massachusetts ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 95.2K citations received by 6.32K academic papers made by 25 universities in Massachusetts 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.

1. Harvard University

For Creative Writing

2. Boston College

3. Boston University

4. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

6. Tufts University

7. University of Massachusetts - Boston

8. Clark University

9. College of the Holy Cross

10. Smith College

11. Northeastern University

12. Brandeis University

13. Wellesley College

14. University of Massachusetts - Lowell

15. Williams College

16. Amherst College

17. Simmons University

18. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

19. Lesley University

20. Emerson College

21. Mount Holyoke College

22. Bridgewater State University

23. Suffolk University

24. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

25. Bentley University

Closest to Massachusetts states to learn Creative Writing

Art & design subfields in massachusetts.

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UMass Boston

• Creative Writing MFA

Further your commitment to writing as the center of your professional life.

Intensive study and practice of fiction and poetry writing with award-winning and nationally renowned faculty at the most diverse university in new england..

UMass Boston's Creative Writing MFA offers you an intense, 3-year program and focused opportunity to further your commitment to writing as the center of your professional life. Through a combination of mentoring by accomplished faculty in a series of creative writing workshops, courses focused on the study of literature offered through the English MA Program, and electives that include the practice of literary editing, the teaching of creative writing, documentary poetics, the art of memoir, and more—you will have the guidance to develop and shape your work to the full extent of your talent.

All accepted students receive funding. Graduate assistantships offer the opportunity to work with students as teaching assistants and fellows, or in editorial positions with one of our sponsors, including 826 Boston, Hanging Loose Press, Write on the Dot, Consequence Magazine, Breakwater Review, and Arrowsmith Press.

Career Possibilities

Pursue a career as a professional writer, publishing your work in literary journals, magazines. Work as an editor and collaborate with writers to refine their work and shape the final product for publication. These are just a few of the possibilities.

Become a(n):

• Writer/Author
• Literary Agent
• Writing Instructor/Professor

Start Your Application

Plan Your Education

How to apply.

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• A 3.0 GPA overall and in the student’s major
• Two substantive and detailed letters of recommendation, from former teachers familiar with the applicant’s most recent academic and creative work
• A 3-5 page personal statement focusing on the role of the candidate’s reading life in his or her development as a writer. (Note: The general Graduate Admissions application refers to this as a statement of interests and intent. They are one and the same.)
• Applicants must indicate whether they are applying in FICTION or POETRY in their Statement of Purpose. If you want to apply in both genres, include one writing sample in FICTION and one in POETRY and indicate in the Statement of Purpose that the application is for both.
• A writing sample of 10 manuscript pages of poetry or 20 manuscript pages of fiction

Deadlines & Cost

Deadlines: January 15 (priority) for fall. While rare, if space is available, we’ll happily consider applications until June 1 (final deadline).

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar's website

Writing Workshops (24 Credits)

Complete one from below four times.

• CW 601 - MFA Poetry Workshop 6 Credit(s) or
• CW 602 - MFA Fiction Workshop 6 Credit(s)

Literature Courses (9 Credits)

Complete three graduate literature courses.

Electives (9 Credits)

Complete three from below.

• CW 605 - Memoir Workshop 3 Credit(s)
• CW 606 - Literary Editing and Publishing 3 Credit(s)
• CW 614 - The Teaching of Creative Writing 3 Credit(s)
• CW 675 - Creative Writing Internship 3 Credit(s)
• CW 697 - Special Topics in Creative Writing 1-6 Credit(s)

Students may elect courses offered by other graduate programs with approval from the graduate program director.

• ENGL 459 Seminar for Tutors may be taken for graduate credit (see Undergraduate Catalog)
• ENGL 675 - Reading and Writing Poetry 3 Credit(s)
• ENGL 676 - Reading and Writing Fiction 3 Credit(s)
• ENGL 681 - Advanced Workshop in Poetry 3 Credit(s)
• ENGL 682 - Advanced Workshop in Fiction 3 Credit(s)

Thesis Courses (6 Credits)

Complete the course below both semesters of the third year.

• CW 699 - MFA Thesis 3 Credit(s)

Graduation Criteria

Complete 48 credits from twelve courses including four writing workshops, three literature courses, three electives, and two semesters of thesis workshops.

The MFA degree requires six semesters of full-time study, with 9 credits required in each of the first four semesters, and 6 credits in the final two semesters, during which students will concentrate on completing a thesis in fiction or poetry under the direction of a faculty member. MFA workshops are limited to 12 students, and seminars are limited to 15. Students have the opportunity to interact with writers in our Global Voices Visiting Writer series (recent visitors have been Raquel Salas Rivera and Carole Maso), and work with visiting prose writers - recently these have included Jane Unrue, ZZ Packer, and Fanny Howe.

Capstone: Completion of an MFA thesis of 48 to 64 pages of poetry or 100 to 200 pages of fiction written under the supervision of a thesis advisor, reviewed by a thesis committee, and subject to a public defense.

Statute of limitations: Five years.

Contact & Faculty

Graduate Program Director John Fulton john.fulton [at] umb.edu (617) 287-6700

English & Creative Writing MFA Department englishmfaprogram [at] umb.edu (617) 287-6702

Fiction Faculty

John Fulton , Program Director & Associate Professor Askold Melnyczuk , Professor Eileen Pollack , Visiting Assistant Professor

Poetry Faculty

Jill McDonough , Professor Shangyang Fang , Associate Lecturer

English Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's English department, our programs, and our faculty.

College of Liberal Arts

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Liberal Arts.

Boston University Arts & Sciences Writing

• Financial Support
• MFA Degree Requirements
• Program Overview
• MFA Program Description
• English Department
• How to Apply
• Admissions Materials
• Submit an Application
• Repeat and international applicants
• Featured Alumni
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• Global Fellows
• Undergraduate Courses
• Graduate Courses
• Publication News
• The Ha Jin Visiting Lecturer Series
• Robert Lowell Memorial Lecture Series
• Black Box Reading Series

Photo by Kalman Zabarsky for Boston University Photography. 11/23/09.

The Boston University Creative Writing Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country, offers students the opportunity to complete the MFA degree in fiction or poetry in one year. Students complete their academic requirements, a rigorous combination of creative writing workshops and literature courses, over the course of two to three semesters. Cohort sizes are small– ten fiction writers and eight poets per year– and all admitted students for 2024-25 received full tuition coverage, basic health insurance coverage, and a stipend of $20,000. Each student is required to teach one course, either at Boston University or at a local public high school, during the fall or spring semester. We pride ourselves on being a program with an international focus: all of our students must fulfill a foreign language requirement during their time in Boston, and each will be eligible to receive a Global Fellowship allowing for travel, writing, and study anywhere outside the United States upon completing their coursework and submitting their thesis.

About the Program

Our MFA students have the opportunity to live, write, and travel anywhere in the world

Read about BU's renowned Translation Seminar

• 236 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215
• Phone: (617) 353-2510
• email: [email protected]

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Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

It's a great time to get into Creative Writing and find the best school for your undergraduate Creative Writing degree on our list of the Best Creative Writing Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

4 Year  •  Cambridge ,  MA  •  10 reviews

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit university based in Cambridge , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,097 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 7 %.

# 1 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Wellesley College

4 Year  •  Wellesley ,  MA  •  2 reviews

Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit university based in Wellesley , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 605 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 22 %.

# 2 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

College of the Holy Cross

4 Year  •  Worcester ,  MA

College of the Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit university based in Worcester , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 819 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 39 %.

# 3 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Brandeis University

4 Year  •  Waltham ,  MA  •  10 reviews

Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit university based in Waltham , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 858 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 34 %.

# 4 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Emerson College

4 Year  •  Boston ,  MA

Emerson College is a private not-for-profit university based in Boston , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 932 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 46 %.

# 5 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Wheaton College

4 Year  •  Norton ,  MA

Wheaton College is a private not-for-profit university based in Norton , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 502 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 47 %.

# 6 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Simmons College

Simmons College is a private not-for-profit university based in Boston , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 407 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 60 %.

# 7 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Suffolk University

Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit university based in Boston , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,061 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 83 %.

# 8 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Hampshire College

4 Year  •  Amherst ,  MA

Hampshire College is a private not-for-profit university based in Amherst , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 325 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 62 %.

# 9 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Western New England University

4 Year  •  Springfield ,  MA

Western New England University is a private not-for-profit university based in Springfield , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 770 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 80 %.

# 10 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University

4 Year  •  Fitchburg ,  MA

Fitchburg State University is a public university based in Fitchburg , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 751 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 80 %.

# 11 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

Salem State University

4 Year  •  Salem ,  MA

Salem State University is a public university based in Salem , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,094 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 81 %.

# 12 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts

2024 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in America

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1-25 of 352 results

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Cambridge, MA ·
• · Rating 4.17 out of 5   662 reviews
• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 4%
• Net price $20,232
• SAT range 1530-1580

#3 Best Colleges in America .

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

662 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says This is a great university for expanding your horizons, especially if you are from a small area. The initial year gives a lot of freedom for exploring options for your major, and there are great... .

Read 662 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 4% ,

Net Price : $20,232 ,

SAT Range : 1530-1580 ,

Columbia University

• New York, NY ·
• · Rating 3.82 out of 5   1,367 reviews
• Net price $22,058
• SAT range 1490-1580

#6 Best Colleges in America .

Blue checkmark.

NEW YORK, NY ,

1367 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As a biochemistry student at Columbia University, my experience was extraordinary. The Core Curriculum was a highlight, exposing me to literature, philosophy, art history, and music. This... Beyond academics, I loved engaging with the community through Peer Health Exchange (now S-HEAL), where I educated high school students on health and wellness. This experience enhanced my... Writing for The Spectator allowed me to make scientific concepts accessible, improving my ability to articulate ideas clearly. Additionally, Columbia’s vibrant arts scene, from Miller Theatre... Overall, Columbia offered a holistic education, blending rigorous science, arts, and community involvement, preparing me well for the future. .

Read 1367 reviews.

Net Price : $22,058 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1580 ,

University of Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, PA ·
• · Rating 3.9 out of 5   1,362 reviews
• Acceptance rate 7%
• Net price $26,123
• SAT range 1500-1570

#7 Best Colleges in America .

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

1362 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be... .

Read 1362 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $26,123 ,

SAT Range : 1500-1570 ,

SUNY Purchase College

• PURCHASE, NY
• · Rating 3.43 out of 5   1,173

Miami University

• · Rating 3.71 out of 5   3,434

Ferris State University

• BIG RAPIDS, MI
• · Rating 3.58 out of 5   2,205

Dartmouth College

• Hanover, NH ·
• · Rating 3.88 out of 5   748 reviews
• Acceptance rate 6%
• Net price $19,208
• SAT range 1500-1580

#8 Best Colleges in America .

HANOVER, NH ,

748 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My experience at Dartmouth has been great so far. The education is high quality and so are the professors. There are great opportunities for practical work and research. And the student body and... .

Read 748 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 6% ,

Net Price : $19,208 ,

SAT Range : 1500-1580 ,

Brown University

• Providence, RI ·
• · Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,085 reviews
• Acceptance rate 5%
• Net price $26,723

#10 Best Colleges in America .

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

1085 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience has been absolutely incredible. As everyone says, the open curriculum really makes a world of difference as it allows you to choose your own path and not be hampered by requirements... .

Read 1085 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 5% ,

Net Price : $26,723 ,

Northwestern University

• Evanston, IL ·
• · Rating 3.7 out of 5   1,494 reviews
• Net price $22,095
• SAT range 1490-1570

#15 Best Colleges in America .

EVANSTON, IL ,

1494 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says There is a wealth of awesome student communities to join which really contributed to my experience. Classes are challenging but Northwestern offers many unique opportunities to explore different... .

Read 1494 reviews.

Net Price : $22,095 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1570 ,

• Will you get in? Understand your chances of getting accepted into any college in the country, and it's completely free

Washington University in St. Louis

• Saint Louis, MO ·
• · Rating 4.11 out of 5   1,577 reviews
• Acceptance rate 12%
• Net price $23,432

#16 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT LOUIS, MO ,

1577 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience with Washington University in St. Louis has been adventurous so far. I have gotten the amazing opportunity to work with brilliant students and professors from across the world. The... .

Read 1577 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 12% ,

Net Price : $23,432 ,

Carnegie Mellon University

• Pittsburgh, PA ·
• · Rating 3.71 out of 5   1,483 reviews
• Acceptance rate 11%
• Net price $33,499

#20 Best Colleges in America .

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

1483 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated,... .

Read 1483 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 11% ,

Net Price : $33,499 ,

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Ann Arbor, MI ·
• · Rating 3.96 out of 5   4,729 reviews
• Acceptance rate 18%
• Net price $19,318
• SAT range 1350-1530

#21 Best Colleges in America .

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4729 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Entering college, I was head-over-heels excited to attend my dream school: University of Michigan. What I did not realize were the many factors that came along with starting this new path of life --... .

Read 4729 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 18% ,

Net Price : $19,318 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1530 ,

University of Chicago

• Chicago, IL ·
• · Rating 3.81 out of 5   1,297 reviews
• Net price $36,991

#23 Best Colleges in America .

CHICAGO, IL ,

1297 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and... .

Read 1297 reviews.

Net Price : $36,991 ,

Johns Hopkins University

• Baltimore, MD ·
• · Rating 3.68 out of 5   1,410 reviews
• Net price $24,034
• SAT range 1520-1570

#24 Best Colleges in America .

BALTIMORE, MD ,

1410 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Overall, my undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins was great. The academics were challenging without being destructive to student mental health and there were always numerous clubs, involvement... .

Read 1410 reviews.

Net Price : $24,034 ,

SAT Range : 1520-1570 ,

University of Southern California

• Los Angeles, CA ·
• · Rating 3.99 out of 5   4,053 reviews
• Net price $36,808
• SAT range 1450-1550

#26 Best Colleges in America .

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

4053 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I absolutely love the University of Southern California! Besides the amazing weather, USC is a diverse and supportive environment with tons of school spirit. With so many schools and majors to choose... .

Read 4053 reviews.

Net Price : $36,808 ,

SAT Range : 1450-1550 ,

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Emory University

• Atlanta, GA ·
• · Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,621 reviews
• Net price $26,680
• SAT range 1430-1550

#36 Best Colleges in America .

ATLANTA, GA ,

1621 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Emory's strong academic environment, combined with its diverse student body, has significantly broadened my perspectives and academic interests. I've particularly enjoyed the rigorous coursework and... .

Read 1621 reviews.

Net Price : $26,680 ,

SAT Range : 1430-1550 ,

Wellesley College

• Wellesley, MA ·
• · Rating 3.77 out of 5   637 reviews
• Acceptance rate 14%
• Net price $21,362

#37 Best Colleges in America .

WELLESLEY, MA ,

637 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I really love it here and am glad that I decided on Wellesley! I'm class of 2026, so I've been on campus for about two years now and each year, I've been able to meet some of the best professors and... .

Read 637 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $21,362 ,

University of Texas - Austin

• Austin, TX ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   6,781 reviews
• Acceptance rate 31%
• Net price $17,434
• SAT range 1230-1500

#42 Best Colleges in America .

AUSTIN, TX ,

6781 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I really love the city of Austin! The "weirdness" of Austin jumps out at you in the best way. The countless times I've gone to the groovy thrift stores or south Congress Ave with friends have been... .

Read 6781 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 31% ,

Net Price : $17,434 ,

SAT Range : 1230-1500 ,

University of Miami

• Coral Gables, FL ·
• · Rating 3.87 out of 5   3,082 reviews
• Acceptance rate 19%
• Net price $36,467
• SAT range 1310-1480

#52 Best Colleges in America .

CORAL GABLES, FL ,

3082 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Couldn't have had a better 4 years and more fun time! I lived basically like Alix Earle (college wise and not fame wise). There is something to do every single day. I was able to go out 6 nights a... .

Read 3082 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 19% ,

Net Price : $36,467 ,

SAT Range : 1310-1480 ,

Hamilton College

• Clinton, NY ·
• · Rating 3.72 out of 5   488 reviews
• Net price $24,503
• SAT range 1420-1540

#54 Best Colleges in America .

CLINTON, NY ,

488 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Looking back on my experience, I feel as though I didn't appreciate everything Hamilton College did for me. When you're in the moment, it's easy to see all the bad and be frustrated with things like... .

Read 488 reviews.

Net Price : $24,503 ,

SAT Range : 1420-1540 ,

University of Washington

• Seattle, WA ·
• · Rating 3.79 out of 5   4,686 reviews
• Acceptance rate 48%
• Net price $10,603
• SAT range —

#60 Best Colleges in America .

SEATTLE, WA ,

4686 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says My experience at the University of Washington has been largely positive. I’ve appreciated the strong academic programs and the supportive faculty who are always willing to help students succeed. The... However, I believe there are areas that need improvement. Campus safety needs to be enhanced to ensure all students feel secure at all times. Additionally, while there is some diversity, the... .

Read 4686 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 48% ,

Net Price : $10,603 ,

Macalester College

• Saint Paul, MN ·
• · Rating 3.81 out of 5   477 reviews
• Acceptance rate 28%
• Net price $36,095
• SAT range 1340-1500

#62 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT PAUL, MN ,

477 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I'm only a freshman, so take my opinions with that in mind, but I am immensely fortunate to have chosen to attend Mac. Students that go to this school are kind and from countless backgrounds and... .

Read 477 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 28% ,

Net Price : $36,095 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1500 ,

Haverford College

• Haverford, PA ·
• · Rating 3.93 out of 5   269 reviews
• Net price $23,476
• SAT range 1430-1540

#70 Best Colleges in America .

HAVERFORD, PA ,

269 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience at Haverford College has been wonderful. The Honor Code definitely plays a huge role with this. I have always felt safe walking at night on campus and am able to leave my belongings... .

Read 269 reviews.

Net Price : $23,476 ,

SAT Range : 1430-1540 ,

Purdue University

• West Lafayette, IN ·
• · Rating 3.83 out of 5   5,158 reviews
• grade  A Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 53%
• Net price $12,576
• SAT range 1200-1470

#79 Best Colleges in America .

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN ,

5158 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Academically challenging school that heavily focuses on STEM majors. If you are in liberal arts, there is a nice community but it is small and not nearly as funded as the STEM programs. Campus is... .

Read 5158 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 53% ,

Net Price : $12,576 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1470 ,

Colby College

• Waterville, ME ·
• · Rating 3.86 out of 5   639 reviews
• Acceptance rate 8%
• Net price $16,951

#80 Best Colleges in America .

WATERVILLE, ME ,

639 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I have truly enjoyed my time at Colby. The community has allowed me to bond with a diverse group of students and it is where I have found my best friends. Academics are challenging but there is... .

Read 639 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 8% ,

Net Price : $16,951 ,

University of Pittsburgh

• · Rating 3.75 out of 5   4,368 reviews
• Acceptance rate 49%
• Net price $24,286
• SAT range 1280-1470

#84 Best Colleges in America .

4368 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Attending the University of Pittsburgh was one of the best decisions I have ever made regarding my social and academic life. Pitt pushes me in so many different ways and with academics, Pitt has... .

Read 4368 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 49% ,

Net Price : $24,286 ,

SAT Range : 1280-1470 ,

National University

• La Jolla, CA ·
• · Rating 3.98 out of 5   1,178 reviews
• Acceptance rate 55%
• Net price $30,527
• SAT range 750-1170

#90 Best Colleges in America .

LA JOLLA, CA ,

1178 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Attending National University fully online has been a unique experience for me. While I miss the in-person interactions and campus atmosphere, I appreciate the flexibility and convenience that their... .

Read 1178 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 55% ,

Net Price : $30,527 ,

SAT Range : 750-1170 ,

Southern Methodist University

• Dallas, TX ·
• · Rating 3.86 out of 5   1,582 reviews
• Acceptance rate 52%
• Net price $45,094
• SAT range 1370-1510

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 12 best creative writing colleges and programs.

College Info

Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States .

The Best Creative Writing Programs: Ranking Criteria

You should never take college rankings as absolute truth —not even the very official-seeming US News ones. Instead, use these kinds of lists as a jumping-off place for your own exploration of colleges. Pay attention not just to what the rankings are but to how the rankings are determined.

To help with that, I'll explain how I came up with this highly unscientific list of great creative writing colleges. I started by narrowing my search down to schools that offered a specific creative writing major. (If you don't see a school you were expecting, it's likely because they only have a minor.)

In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria:

• #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities. However, many schools with great undergrad programs do not offer MFAs, in which case I simply focused on the other four options.
• #2: General School Reputation —The vast majority of your classes won't be in creative writing, so it's important that other parts of the school, especially the English department, are great as well.
• #3: Extracurricular Opportunities —One of the key advantages of majoring in creative writing is that it can provide access to writing opportunities outside the classroom, so I took what kind of internship programs, author readings, and literary magazines the school offers into consideration.
• #4: Diversity of Class Options —I gave extra points to schools with a variety of genre options and specific, interesting classes.
• #5: Alumni/Prestige —This last criterion is a bit more subjective: is the school known for turning out good writers? Certainly it's less important than what kind of education you'll actually get, but having a brand-name degree (so to speak) can be helpful.

The Best Creative Writing Schools

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of schools! The exact numbering is always arguable, so look at it as a general trend from absolutely amazing to still super great, rather than fixating on why one school is ranked #3 and another is ranked #4.

#1: Northwestern University

Northwestern's undergrad creative writing program boasts acclaimed professors and an unparalleled track record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell).

Outside the classroom, you can work on the student-run literary journal, intern at a publication in nearby Chicago, or submit to the Department of English's yearly writing competition . The university is also home to a top journalism program , so if you want to try your hand at nonfiction as well, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

#2: Columbia University

Like Northwestern, Columbia is home to both a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school (plus one of the best English departments in the country), so you have a wide range of writing-related course options. Columbia also benefits from its location in New York City, which is bursting at the seams with publishing houses, literary journals, and talented authors.

#3: University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's big draw is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers' Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country.

As an English and Creative Writing major here, you'll take classes from great young writers and established professors alike, and get to choose from a wide range of topics. This major provides transferable skills important for a liberal arts major with a creative focus. You'll also have access to the university's impressive literary community, including frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and the acclaimed literary journal The Iowa Review .

#4: Emory University

Emory is renowned for its dedicated undergrad creative writing program , which draws the very best visiting scholars and writers. Students here have the chance to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors, study a range of genres, compete for writing awards and scholarships, and work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project.

#5: Oberlin College

A small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers very different advantages than the schools above do. You'll have fewer opportunities to pursue writing in the surrounding city, but the quality of the teachers and the range of courses might make up for that. Moreover, it boasts just as impressive alumni, including actress and writer Lena Dunham.

#6: Hamilton College

Hamilton is another small college, located in upstate New York. It's known for giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to help them explore topics in real depth, both inside and outside the classroom. Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country.

#7: Brown University

Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major . For the major, you must take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which span an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology.

#8: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically earmarked for creative writing students. This school’s undergraduate English program also offers a concentration in creative writing that allows students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. If you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre, Washington University could be a great pick for you.

#9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT might not be a school you generally associate with writing, but it actually has an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, and provides plenty of guidance on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market.

Not to mention the school is located in Cambridge, a haven for book lovers and writers of all kinds. Though it probably isn’t a good fit for students who hate science, MIT is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are marketable in a wide range of industries.

#10: University of Michigan

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 portfolio and articulating their interest in creative writing to an audience who will evaluate their work. If you're looking to attend a big school with a great creative writing major, this is a fantastic choice.

#11: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is another school that's known more for engineering than it is for writing, but, like MIT, it has a dedicated writing program. As a major here, you must take not only courses in prose, poetry, and literature, but also classes on topics such as philosophy and history.

#12: Colorado College

Colorado College is a small liberal arts school known for its block plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. The creative writing track of the English major includes a sequence of four writing workshops and also requires students to attend every reading of the Visiting Writers Series.

Bonus School: New York University

I didn't include NYU in the main list because it doesn't have a dedicated creative writing major, but it's a great school for aspiring writers nonetheless, offering one of the most impressive creative writing faculties in the country and all the benefits of a Manhattan location.

How To Pick the Best Creative Writing School for You

Just because Northwestern is a great school for creative writing doesn't mean you should set your heart on going there. (The football fans are completely terrifying, for one thing.) So where should you go then?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at creative writing programs to help you determine the best school for you:

Does It Have Courses You're Interested In?

Look at the course offerings and see whether they interest you. While you can't predict exactly what classes you'll love, you want to avoid a mismatch where what you want to study and what the program offers are completely different. For example, if you want to write sonnets but the school focuses more on teaching fiction, it probably won't be a great fit for you.

Also, don't forget to look at the English courses and creative writing workshops! In most programs, you'll be taking a lot of these, too.

What Opportunities Are There To Pursue Writing Outside of Class?

I touched on this idea in the criteria section, but it's important enough that I want to reiterate it here. Some of the best writing experience you can get is found outside the classroom, so see what kind of writing-related extracurriculars a school has before committing to it.

Great options include getting involved with the campus newspaper, working on the school's literary journal, or interning at the university press.

Who Will Be Teaching You?

Who are the professors? What kind of work have they published? Check teacher ratings on Rate My Professors (but make sure to read the actual reviews—and always take them with a grain of salt).

If you're looking at a big school, there's a good chance that a lot of your teachers will be graduate students. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: a lot of the best teachers I had in college were graduate students. Just take into consideration what kind of graduate program the school has. If there's a great creative writing MFA program, then the graduate students are likely to be better writers and more engaged teachers.

What Are the Alumni Doing Now?

If you have a sense of what you want to do after you graduate, see if any alumni of the program are pursuing that type of career. The stronger the alumni network is, the more connections you'll have when it comes time to get a job.

What About the Rest of the School?

Don't pick a school for which you like the creative writing program but dread everything else about it. Most of your time will be spent doing other things, whether hanging out in the dorms, exploring off campus, or fulfilling general education requirements.

Many schools require you to apply to the creative writing major, so make doubly sure you'll be happy with your choice even if you aren't accepted to the program.

What's Next?

Are you sure a creative writing major is the right fit for you? Read our post on the pros and cons of the major to help you decide what path to take in college.

For more general advice about choosing a college, check out our complete guide to finding the right school for you. Some major factors to consider include deciding whether you're interested in a small college or a big university , an in-state or out-of-state institution , and a public or private school .

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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Writing in the Disciplines

These colleges typically make the writing process a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to produce and refine various forms of writing for different audiences in different disciplines. In spring and summer 2023, we invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 15 institutions with stellar examples of writing in the disciplines. Colleges and universities that received 10 or more nominations are ranked here. Read the methodology »

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Brown University

Providence, RI

• #1 in Writing in the Disciplines
• #9 in National Universities  (tie)

At Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 80 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.

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Columbia University

New York, NY

• #2 in Writing in the Disciplines
• #12 in National Universities  (tie)

Columbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood in New York City.

Duke University

• #3 in Writing in the Disciplines  (tie)
• #7 in National Universities  (tie)

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

• #1 in National Universities

The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

• #5 in Writing in the Disciplines  (tie)
• #93 in National Universities  (tie)

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 Institute, a six-day getaway workshop; or participate in one of the many programs offered through the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership, including arts and entertainment, and multicultural programs. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but about 95 percent choose to do so. Campus life may pose a challenge to tobacco users, as Iowa is a smoke-free campus. Students have more than 500 clubs and organizations from which to choose, and close to 10 percent of students go Greek as members of the school's more than 50 fraternities and sororities. Sports are another big focus of campus life; even in the competitive NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, the Iowa Hawkeyes are notorious players. Four blocks from campus is Iowa City, a Midwestern metropolis that has been recognized among the nation’s best for its scenery, greenery and sustainable energy efforts.

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Yale University

New Haven, CT

• #5 in National Universities

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.

Cornell University

• #7 in Writing in the Disciplines

Cornell University, a private school in Ithaca, New York, has 14 colleges and schools. Each admits its own students, though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. The university has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus.

Carleton College

Northfield, MN

• #8 in Writing in the Disciplines
• #9 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)

Carleton College is a private school in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carls, as its students are known, have about 35 majors to choose from and more than 170 organizations to check out.

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

• #9 in Writing in the Disciplines
• #4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)

About 10 miles outside of Philadelphia is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA

• #10 in Writing in the Disciplines  (tie)
• #2 in National Liberal Arts Colleges

Amherst College, a private school in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Because Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, students can also take courses at Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts—Amherst.

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Best Creative Writing colleges in the U.S. 2024

Creative writing is about artistically sharing emotions, thoughts, and opinions on a subject; not just relaying information. Courses include American literature, editing and proofing, fundamentals of writing, world literature, Shakespeare, screenwriting fundamentals, fiction fundamentals, writing nonfiction, and poetry writing. Creative writing covers both nonfiction and fiction, but the predominant types of creative writing are poetry and fiction, which includes novels, short stories, novellas, and flash fiction. Playwriting, screenwriting, journaling, and memoirs are other typical forms.

Students will learn how to use written language to communicate more clearly in their professional and personal lives and move beyond proficient mechanics to writing craftily in an attempt to evoke emotions and express points of view. Careers for creative writers?outside of being a creative writer?include blogger, journalist, composition teacher, copywriter, scriptwriter, and novelist. Creative writers must understand the importance of deadlines and have well-researched writing samples in order to move up the career ladder. The median annual wage of writers and authors was more than $50,000 in May 2010. Religious, professional, and civic industries employed the most writers followed by newspapers and book industries. Creative writers may also be freelance writers. Freelance writers are self-employed individuals who make a living selling their content to publishers. They may simultaneously work on multiple assignments for numerous companies depending on individual financial goals.

Best Creative Writing colleges in the U.S. for 2024

Brown University offers 3 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 48 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 38 Bachelor's degrees, and 10 Master's degrees.

Northwestern University offers 3 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 11 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 10 Master's degrees, and 1 Bachelor's degree.

Johns Hopkins University offers 4 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 80 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 47 Master's degrees, 29 Bachelor's degrees, and 4 Certificates.

University of Southern California offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 37 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 37 Bachelor's degrees.

University of Notre Dame offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 4 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 4 Master's degrees.

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. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 174 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 124 Master's degrees, and 50 Bachelor's degrees.

The University of Texas at Austin offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 100 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 81 Certificates, and 19 Master's degrees.

Cornell University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 7 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 7 Master's degrees.

Vanderbilt University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 6 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 6 Master's degrees.

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Western massachusetts writing project hosts best practices in teaching writing conference.

Dr. Jennifer DiGrazia and Joe Courchesne from the 2023 WMWP AI Workshop. Courchesne was also one of the presenters for this year's Best Practices in the Teaching of Writing conference.

The Western Massachusetts Writing Project (WMWP), a branch of the National Writing Project (NWP), is one of 184 sites nationwide committed to empowering K-16 educators through reflective scholarship and teachers teaching teachers. The NWP operates under three main tenets, which maintain that teachers are the best teachers for other teachers, teachers should be leaders, and teachers should engage with reflective scholarship in their own classes. Currently, the WMWP is housed within the Office for Teacher Licensure, Accreditation, and Outreach at Westfield State University, supervised by Dr. Megan Kennedy and co-located at UMass Amherst.

On April 27, WMWP held its Best Practices in the Teaching of Writing conference, providing a platform for teachers to present research initiated during the 2023 Summer Leadership Institute. Throughout the past year, educators gathered data on projects ranging from fostering classroom discussions to implementing mindfulness strategies and more. The conference also featured a keynote address by Dr. Anne Elrod Whitney from Penn State College of Education. One participant wrote, “Anne Elrod Whitney was tremendous. She offered perspectives I've never thought about, particularly the way she transformed annoyance with those who tell her what and how to teach into a beautiful learning experience for her students. Thanks for a great conference!”

“We think about how we create meaningful transfer from kindergarten and up through graduation from college around writing instruction,” Dr. Jennifer DiGrazia, Professor of English and site director for the WMWP said. “How do we facilitate that? It’s amazing what happens when you get teachers talking to one another.”

The event also highlighted presentations from University alumni, reflecting Westfield State’s commitment to excellence and ongoing success. Presenters included Joe Courchesne, Spencer Van Tassel, Simone LaPlant, and alum Kevin Hodgson, a sixth-grade teacher at Norris Elementary School. Kevin, along with Leslie Skantz-Hodgson, are recent recipients of a MacArthur Grant through the NWP, which will take place this upcoming year.

As part of Dr. DiGrazia’s upper level writing pedagogy class, she required her students to attend this WMWP conference so they are exposed to the realities of teaching as well as the joy which comes from being part of a supportive community of teachers.

“It was the first time we’ve come together since COVID-19 in person,” she said. “The last three conferences have been online, and we had over 50 people, which is a pretty good turnout for a local conference. I think it went great. The energy was good.” Attendees earn professional development points toward recertification.

Dr. DiGrazia also emphasized the networking opportunities WMWP conferences provide. “The students in my class appreciated it too, because it’s an opportunity for them to network with teachers in the area and find out more about what it’s really like to teach,” she added. “I think they get a particular view of it while they’re still kind of separate from the school systems, so it’s a chance to talk to real people doing what they’re eventually going to do.”

English Professor Wyatt Hermansen noted, “We're so lucky to host WMWP on our campus. I look forward to more events like today's conference.” Looking ahead, the WMWP will host the second Summer Institute Leadership conference 2024 in July, a staple event leading to next year's presentations. For more information on the conference, readers can visit and register here .

For more information about the WMWP, visit their website for additional details.

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2024 Best Creative Writing Schools

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 215 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Creative Writing Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 7,164 degrees in creative writing to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

• Best Overall Creative Writing Schools List

Choosing a Great Creative Writing School

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Creative Writing Rankings by Degree Level

The creative writing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings , including this list of the Best Creative Writing Schools. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state .

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology .

Best Schools for Creative Writing in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of creative writing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Creative Writing

Any student pursuing a degree in creative writing needs to take a look at Johns Hopkins University. Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were roughly 80 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.

Every student pursuing a degree in creative writing has to check out University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. Pitt is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 7th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 119 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available.

Any student who is interested in creative writing needs to take a look at Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Pittsburgh. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were approximately 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

Any student pursuing a degree in creative writing has to take a look at University of Chicago. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were about 37 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 174 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available.

Brown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Providence. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were about 48 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 37 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were roughly 53 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available.

UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. This university ranks 1st out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year.

Located in the fringe town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 46 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were roughly 40 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were roughly 51 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 42 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were about 30 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year.

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 50 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were about 28 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available.

Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were roughly 4 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year.

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 6 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.

Wellesley is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Wellesley. This college ranks 12th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 19 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley in the most recent year we have data available.

UT Austin is a very large public university located in the large city of Austin. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 100 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year.

Iowa State is a very large public university located in the city of Ames. This university ranks 1st out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 8 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 53 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

University of Arizona is a very large public university located in the large city of Tucson. This university ranks 3rd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were roughly 73 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 23rd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 26 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent year we have data available.

Rest of the Top Best Creative Writing Schools

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Creative Writing Schools award.

Creative Writing by Region

View the Best Creative Writing Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

Associate degrees in creative writing, master's degrees in creative writing, bachelor's degrees in creative writing, doctor's degrees in creative writing.

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Rankings in Majors Related to Creative Writing

One of 4 majors within the Writing Studies area of study, Creative Writing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Creative Writing

View All Creative Writing Related Majors >

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
• Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO .

More about our data sources and methodologies .

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