by our College Data Analytics TeamCreative Writing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 70 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for creative writing students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall creative writing education in the Far Western Region.
No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for creative writing. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 11 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in creative writing from San Jose State University
University Of California Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #2. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 11 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. 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 Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 39 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Southern California earn around $26,636 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Southern California
Seattle Pacific University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 13 creative writing degrees were awarded at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $52,713 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,188. See the full creative writing program report for Seattle Pacific University
A rank of #5 makes Dominican University Of California one of the top schools for creative writing. Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Rafael. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 14 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University Of California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Dominican University Of California generally make around $70,752. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the creative writing program at Dominican University Of California
Chapman University came in at #6 for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $32,445. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657. Read more about the creative writing program at Chapman University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 40 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $35,019 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,872 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Oregon ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oregon awarded about 10 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $44,628 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,034. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Oregon
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #9 position for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Nevada Reno
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 15 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn around $40,280 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,636. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus
University Of San Francisco earned the #11 position for creative writing this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $51,069. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for University Of San Francisco
San Diego State University placed #12 among the best creative writing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 16 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $41,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at San Diego State University
Mount St Marys College placed #13 among the best creative writing schools. Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 creative writing degrees were awarded at Mount St Marys College in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $70,010 early in their careers. Mount St Marys College graduates carry a median of $27,555 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from Mount St Marys College
San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for creative writing this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $32,862 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at San Francisco State University
Western Washington University came in at #15 for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 122 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Western Washington University earn around $27,116 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,064. Read more about the creative writing program at Western Washington University
California State University Fresno placed #16 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Fresno awarded about 11 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,133. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at California State University Fresno
University Of California Riverside placed #17 among the best creative writing schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 98 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $23,528 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of California Riverside
Oregon State University earned the #18 position for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Oregon State University awarded about 43 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $43,004 early in their careers. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at Oregon State University
Portland State University earned the #19 position for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 35 creative writing degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Portland State University earn around $41,170 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,475. Read more about the creative writing program at Portland State University
University Of Redlands landed the #20 spot for creative writing this year. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Redlands in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $57,218 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,175. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Redlands
California Baptist University placed #21 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. California Baptist University awarded about 13 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $51,999 in their early career. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. See the full creative writing program report for California Baptist University
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #22 for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Typical student debt for the program is $9,980. Get the full creative writing details for College Of Southern Nevada
Pacific Lutheran University landed the #23 spot for creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 19 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $49,181. Typical student debt for the program is $23,667. More information about a degree in creative writing from Pacific Lutheran University
Antioch University Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Culver City. There were roughly 32 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Antioch University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $54,082 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $33,752. Get the full creative writing details for Antioch University Los Angeles
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #25 among the best creative writing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Las Vegas. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $27,533 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong creative writing education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.