2026 Best Creative Writing Schools in Washington
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 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best creative writing schools.
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Best Schools for Creative Writing in Washington
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.
Top Schools in Creative Writing
Seattle Pacific University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in creative writing. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 13 creative writing degrees were awarded at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $52,713 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree.
See the full creative writing program report for Seattle Pacific University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 40 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $35,019. Typical student debt for the program is $17,872.
Get the full creative writing details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #3 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is 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. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $40,280. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete this degree.
See the full creative writing program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus
A rank of #4 makes Western Washington University one of the top schools for creative writing. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 122 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $27,116. Students borrow a median of $18,064 to complete this degree.
Read more about the creative writing program at Western Washington University
Students looking for a strong creative writing program will find one at Pacific Lutheran University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 19 creative writing degrees were awarded at Pacific Lutheran University in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $49,181 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete this degree.
Get the full creative writing details for Pacific Lutheran University
Seattle University placed #6 among the best creative writing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $32,663 in their early career. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
Get the full creative writing details for Seattle University
Central Washington University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Ellensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Central Washington University awarded about 43 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $27,832 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,224.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University earned the #8 position for creative writing this year. This large public university is located in the town of Cheney. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Eastern Washington University earn around $29,123 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,754.
See the full creative writing program report for Eastern Washington University
University Of Puget Sound landed the #9 spot for creative writing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tacoma. University Of Puget Sound graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Puget Sound awarded about 10 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $22,251. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Puget Sound
More Creative Writing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.