Creative Writing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 172 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best creative writing schools.
Where you study creative writing matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Creative Writing Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Creative Writing School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Creative Writing Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Creative Writing in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the creative writing degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in creative writing. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #2. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 11 creative writing degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $53,254 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
Read more about the creative writing program at Carnegie Mellon University
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #3. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 96 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $49,461 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,728 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University
Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #4 spot this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 85 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
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Boston University came in at #6 for creative writing this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. Boston University awarded about 17 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $63,598 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University came in at #7 for creative writing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 16 creative writing degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in creative writing from San Jose State University
University Of Denver landed the #8 spot for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
See the full creative writing program report for University Of Denver
Drexel University landed the #9 spot for creative writing this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 creative writing degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Drexel University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #10 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 89 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $60,459 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,323 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in creative writing from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Chicago earned the #11 position for creative writing this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 12 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Chicago
Rowan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best creative writing schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $52,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Rowan University
University Of California Irvine earned the #13 position for creative writing this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $50,958 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans.
See the full creative writing program report for University Of California Irvine
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for creative writing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 36 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $31,239 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete this degree.
See the full creative writing program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Saint Josephs University earned the #15 position for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Josephs University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Josephs University in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $65,421 early in their careers. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans.
Read more about the creative writing program at Saint Josephs University
New York University landed the #16 spot for creative writing this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 creative writing degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of New York University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
More information about a degree in creative writing from New York University
American University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best creative writing schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 12 creative writing degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from American University earn around $54,585 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree.
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Wellesley College earned the #18 position for creative writing this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Wellesley College awarded about 11 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete this degree.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 10 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $51,233. Typical student debt for the program is $22,113.
Read more about the creative writing program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Butler University landed the #20 spot for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Butler University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #21 among the best creative writing schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 105 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $39,798 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,349.
See the full creative writing program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #22 for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 16 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $52,025 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans.
See the full creative writing program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Purdue University Main Campus placed #23 among the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $25,084. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,038 in student loans.
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University Of North Dakota ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best creative writing schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans.
More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of North Dakota
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #25 for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans.
More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Creative Writing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong creative writing education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 172 schools evaluated.
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 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).
