by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 451 U.S. colleges awarded 7,430 degrees and certificates in Creative Writing. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 48% of graduates. College Factual ranks 172 schools in its 2027 Best Creative Writing Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $34,712 one year after completing, rising to $52,903 after four years.
Studying Creative Writing covers Creative Writing. A Program That Focuses On The Process And Techniques Of Original Composition In Various Literary Forms Such As The Short Story, Poetry, The Novel, And Others. Includes Instruction In Technical And Editorial Skills, Criticism, And The Marketing Of Finished Manuscripts.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, creative writing is a popular field of study, with 7,430 degrees awarded annually. 451 colleges award creative writing degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 759.
By level, the 7,430 awards include 34 certificates, 283 associate degrees, 3,523 bachelor’s degrees, 3,574 master’s degrees and 16 doctorates.
Women earned 72% of creative writing degrees and certificates in the latest year (5,348 of 7,430). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (4,706) and Hispanic or Latino (862), and international students earned 262.
College Factual ranks 172 schools in its 2027 Best Creative Writing Schools ranking, including 10 for associate degrees, 88 for bachelor’s degrees and 101 for master’s degrees. It also ranks creative writing schools within 39 states. In all, 451 colleges offer creative writing programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Creative Writing Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common creative writing credential is the master’s degree: 3,574 of the 7,430 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to creative writing call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Instructing, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a creative writing degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 34 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 283 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,523 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,574 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to creative writing, at 44.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.9% |
| Master’s degree | 24.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 8.9% |
| Some college courses | 7.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.0% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Creative Writing, with an average median salary of $78,313; the strongest outlook belongs to English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Assistant Professor, Adjunct Instructor, Faculty Member and Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to creative writing, at 1,273,615.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
| Editors | 11,763 | 3.2% |
Creative Writing graduates earn a median $34,712 one year after completing their program, $52,903 after four years and $51,929 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,712 |
| 4 years | $52,903 |
| 5 years | $51,929 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to creative writing is Editors, with a median salary of $100,346.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Editors | $100,346 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,195 |
Creative Writing has 4 similar majors in the English Language & Literature field, which together award 6,439 degrees a year; the largest are Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing (3,756), Rhetoric and Composition (1,367) and Writing, General (727). Browse all English Language & Literature majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing | 3,756 |
| Rhetoric and Composition | 1,367 |
| Writing, General | 727 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other | 589 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
