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2025 Best Creative Writing Schools

129 Colleges in the United States
7,164 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in creative writing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #120 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 129 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of creative writing. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 7,164 degrees in creative writing annually.

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

Choosing a Great Creative Writing School

Best Creative Writing Schools Your choice of creative writing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Creative Writing School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

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

Associate Degrees in Creative Writing
Bachelor's Degrees in Creative Writing
Master's Degrees in Creative Writing
Doctor's Degrees in Creative Writing

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 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Creative Writing

1
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In PA
119 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in creative writing has to take a look at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. Pitt is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 6th out of 103 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MD
80 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Any student pursuing a degree in creative writing has to check out Johns Hopkins University. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 schools 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.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in Creative Writing & English Program Name

Develop your creativity and gain practical skills with a creative writing degree program –featuring 100% online classes – through a bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in Creative Writing & English from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In IL

Northwestern University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in creative writing. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,152 schools 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 data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Northwestern University

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NY
174 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Columbia University in the City of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in creative writing. Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from Columbia University in the City of New York

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In WA
50 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In TX
100 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #46 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from The University of Texas at Austin

7
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In MA

Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from Boston University

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MFA in Creative Writing - Online Program Name

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.

More information about a degree in MFA in Creative Writing - Online from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In VA
47 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 47 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in creative writing from George Mason University

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OH
46 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 91 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 data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Miami University - Oxford

10
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In RI
48 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Brown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Providence. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,152 schools 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.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Brown University

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In OH

Located in the fringe town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 18th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MA in English & Creative Writing Program Name

Refine your writing skills and take a step toward furthering your career with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in MA in English & Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AZ
73 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

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

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of Arizona

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
48 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 48 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

14
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
20th Most Popular In NY
16.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Syracuse is a great university overall.

There were approximately 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Syracuse University

15
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
185 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Emerson is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the city of Boston. This college ranks 16th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 185 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Emerson in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Emerson College

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA English in Professional Writing Program Name

Expand your professional skillset with this specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA English in Professional Writing from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IN
36.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #65 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from Purdue University - Main Campus

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In CA
31.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 12th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 16 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of California - Irvine

18
Bucknell crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In PA
36.0% Growth in Graduates

Bucknell is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Lewisburg. This university ranks 11th out of 103 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 25 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Bucknell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Bucknell University

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In CA
37 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

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 #13 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

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

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of Southern California

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction Program Name

Harness your passion for storytelling with SNHU's Mountainview Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction. In this small, two-year creative writing program, students work one-on-one with our distinguished faculty remotely for most of the semester but convene for weeklong intensive residencies in June and January. At residencies, students critique each other's work face-to-face, meet with major authors, agents and editors and learn how to teach at the college level.

More information about a degree in Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In TX
45.5% Growth in Graduates

SMU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Dallas. This university ranks 5th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Southern Methodist University

21
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In PA
40.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, St. Joe's is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 9th out of 103 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at St. Joe's in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Saint Joseph’s University

22
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX

Texas State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of San Marcos. This university ranks 16th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 20 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Texas State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from Texas State University

23
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IA
53 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 37 colleges 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.

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of Iowa

24
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In DC

Located in the large city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from George Washington University

25
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
26th Most Popular In NY
69.2% Growth in Graduates

University of Rochester is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Rochester. This university ranks 8th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 13 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in creative writing from University of Rochester

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.

Rank College Location
26 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
27 Providence College Providence, RI
28 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
29 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
30 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
31 Arcadia University Glenside, PA
32 Emory University Atlanta, GA
33 DePauw University Greencastle, IN
34 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
35 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
36 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
37 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
38 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
39 Boise State University Boise, ID
40 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX
41 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
42 Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
43 University of Idaho Moscow, ID

Creative Writing by Region

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

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

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

Majors Similar to Creative Writing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Professional, Technical, Business, & Scientific Writing 3,129
Rhetoric & Composition 1,835
General Writing 853
Other Rhetoric & Composition/Writing Studies 563

View All Creative Writing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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