2026 Best Creative Writing Schools in the New England Region

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best school in the country for a degree in creative writing. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 76 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in creative writing from Harvard University

2

Boston University
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong creative writing program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 15 creative writing degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $63,598 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for Boston University

3

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the top schools for creative writing. 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. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $52,025 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

4

Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #4. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Colby College awarded about 12 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Colby College earn around $46,772 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,016. See the full creative writing program report for Colby College

5

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 33 creative writing degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $30,741 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Read more about the creative writing program at Brown University

6

Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University came in at #6 for creative writing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 14 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Fairfield University in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $50,135 early in their careers. Fairfield University graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. Get the full creative writing details for Fairfield University

7

Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College placed #7 among the best creative writing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 226 creative writing degrees were awarded at Emerson College in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $37,078 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for Emerson College

8

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #8 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 12 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $52,885 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Massachusetts Boston

9

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University landed the #9 spot for creative writing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 creative writing degrees were awarded at Lesley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $48,287 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,818. See the full creative writing program report for Lesley University

10

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #10 for creative writing this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus awarded about 14 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $27,180. Students borrow a median of $26,368 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

11

Bennington College
Bennington, VT

Bennington College placed #11 among the best creative writing schools. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Bennington College in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. Bennington College graduates carry a median of $26,815 in student loans. Get the full creative writing details for Bennington College

12

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine landed the #12 spot for creative writing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Portland. University Of Southern Maine graduates 40% of students within six years. University Of Southern Maine awarded about 19 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $43,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,593. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Southern Maine

13

Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path College placed #13 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Bay Path College in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $59,424 early in their careers. Bay Path College graduates carry a median of $29,811 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from Bay Path College

14

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 20 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Rhode Island College in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Rhode Island College graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from Rhode Island College

15

University Of Maine At Farmington
Farmington, ME

University Of Maine At Farmington came in at #15 for creative writing this year. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of Maine At Farmington awarded about 15 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Maine At Farmington earn around $35,414 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maine At Farmington graduates carry a median of $25,703 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Maine At Farmington

16

Hampshire College
Amherst, MA

Hampshire College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Amherst. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hampshire College awarded about 11 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $21,113 in their early career. Hampshire College graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at Hampshire College

17

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

Southern New Hampshire University earned the #17 position for creative writing this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 785 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Southern New Hampshire University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $30,077. Typical student debt for the program is $33,490. See the full creative writing program report for Southern New Hampshire University

18

New England College
Henniker, NH

New England College earned the #18 position for creative writing this year. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 35% of students finish within six years. About 15 creative writing degrees were awarded at New England College in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $68,950 in their early career. New England College graduates carry a median of $35,038 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at New England College