by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying 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. Continue reading for the key facts every creative writing student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering creative writing programs.
Nationwide, creative writing is a popular field of study, with 7,423 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Creative Writing Schools ranking analyzes these 441 schools to determine the best overall colleges for creative writing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of creative writing programs later in this article.
Studies in Creative Writing develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations creative writing graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a creative writing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a creative writing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several creative writing degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 47 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 240 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,486 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,639 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to creative writing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in creative writing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in creative writing opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to creative writing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to creative writing.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of creative writing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,712 |
| 4 years | $44,745 |
| 5 years | $51,958 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for creative writing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers creative writing grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 441 different creative writing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased creative writing school rankings to help you.
Those considering creative writing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing | 2,835 |
| Rhetoric and Composition | 1,400 |
| Writing, General | 765 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other | 446 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
