2027 Best Creative Writing Schools in Illinois
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 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best creative writing schools.
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Best Schools for Creative Writing in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall creative writing education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Creative Writing
University Of Chicago tops our 2027 ranking of the best creative writing schools. 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
Depaul University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 19 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $49,334. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Depaul University
Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 10 creative writing degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Loyola University Chicago
A rank of #4 makes College Of Dupage one of the top schools for creative writing. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 11 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from College Of Dupage earn around $43,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in creative writing from College Of Dupage
A rank of #5 makes School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago one of the top schools for creative writing. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago graduates 67% of students within six years. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago awarded about 29 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earn around $37,157 in the first couple years of their career. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Columbia College Chicago placed #6 among the best creative writing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 60 creative writing degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,516. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago
Knox College placed #7 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Knox College graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Knox College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $15,466 in their early career. Knox College graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans.
See the full creative writing program report for Knox College
More Creative Writing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 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.
