2026 Best Creative Writing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in 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. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $99,682 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Pennsylvania

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 81 creative writing degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $49,461 in the first couple years of their career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,728 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University

3

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong creative writing program will find one at Drexel University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. About 25 creative writing degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from Drexel University

4

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #4. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $52,031 in their early career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Get the full creative writing details for Rowan University

5

George Washington University
Washington, DC

A rank of #5 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for creative writing. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 creative writing degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from George Washington University earn around $73,749 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for George Washington University

6

New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #6 spot for creative writing this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 82 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of New York University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at New York University

7

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #7 position for creative writing this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 91 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $39,798 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,349 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

8

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #8 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. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 11 creative writing degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from American University generally make around $54,585. American University graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. See the full creative writing program report for American University

9

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo earned the #9 position for creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 creative writing degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. See the full creative writing program report for University At Buffalo

10

Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 12 creative writing degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Saint Josephs University earn around $65,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for Saint Josephs University

11

Franklin And Marshall College
Lancaster, PA

Franklin And Marshall College landed the #11 spot for creative writing this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Franklin And Marshall College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 20 creative writing degrees were awarded at Franklin And Marshall College in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Franklin And Marshall College earn around $33,476 in the first couple years of their career. Franklin And Marshall College graduates carry a median of $23,083 in student loans. Get the full creative writing details for Franklin And Marshall College

12

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #12 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 17 creative writing degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at Cuny Hunter College

13

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 20 creative writing degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $28,442 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,131. Read more about the creative writing program at Hamilton College

14

Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University landed the #14 spot for creative writing this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 13 creative writing degrees were awarded at Bucknell University in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,951. Read more about the creative writing program at Bucknell University

15

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester came in at #15 for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 10 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Rochester earn around $60,865 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Rochester

16

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 28 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $24,377 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in creative writing from Suny At Binghamton

17

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #17 spot for creative writing this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $34,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at Stony Brook University

18

Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University landed the #18 spot for creative writing this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 23 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Arcadia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $27,390. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at Arcadia University

19

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #19 for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $38,729 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Get the full creative writing details for Cuny Queens College

20

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 151 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $36,959. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

21

Saint Josephs College New York
Brooklyn, NY

Saint Josephs College New York placed #21 among the best creative writing schools. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 creative writing degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs College New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $33,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for Saint Josephs College New York

22

The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #22 spot for creative writing this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. About 82 creative writing degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from The New School generally make around $37,792. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for The New School

23

Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
Madison, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #23 for creative writing this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham awarded about 30 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $56,767. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full creative writing details for Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham

24

Sarah Lawrence College
Bronxville, NY

Sarah Lawrence College came in at #24 for creative writing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bronxville. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 49 creative writing degrees were awarded at Sarah Lawrence College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Sarah Lawrence College generally make around $32,159. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for Sarah Lawrence College

25

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #25 spot for creative writing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. About 10 creative writing degrees were awarded at Nassau Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $38,734 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for Nassau Community College