2026 Best Creative Writing Schools

1

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

No school ranked higher than University Of Pennsylvania this year for creative writing. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 34 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Pennsylvania

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 19 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for Northwestern University

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top schools for creative writing. 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 11 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 76 creative writing degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full creative writing program report for Harvard University

5

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 15 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. See the full creative writing program report for Boston University

6

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 81 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $49,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,728 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at Johns Hopkins University

7

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #7 among the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $52,025 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

8

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver placed #8 among the best creative writing schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Denver awarded about 48 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534. More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Denver

9

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #9 position for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 90 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $60,459 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,323. Get the full creative writing details for The University Of Texas At Austin

10

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #10 among the best creative writing schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 11 creative writing degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full creative writing details for San Jose State University

11

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #11 for creative writing this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for Drexel University

12

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #12 for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 13 creative writing degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $51,233. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in creative writing from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #13 spot for creative writing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539. More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of California Irvine

14

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 10 creative writing degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Rowan University earn around $52,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in creative writing from Rowan University

15

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 35 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,239 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

16

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 19 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Chicago

17

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 12 creative writing degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. Get the full creative writing details for Butler University

18

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University came in at #18 for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at George Washington University

19

New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #19 position for creative writing this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 82 creative writing degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $46,292 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at New York University

20

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #20 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $26,636. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Southern California

21

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #21 for creative writing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 91 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $26,349 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

22

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 11 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of American University earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. Get the full creative writing details for American University

23

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo landed the #23 spot for creative writing this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 14 creative writing degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University At Buffalo earn around $52,403 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. Get the full creative writing details for University At Buffalo

24

Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College came in at #24 for creative writing this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Colby College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $46,772 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,016. Read more about the creative writing program at Colby College

25

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University placed #25 among the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from Seattle Pacific University