2026 Best Creative Writing Schools in the Southwest Region

1

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best school in the country for a degree in creative writing. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 90 creative writing degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $60,459 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,323 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the top schools for creative writing. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 12 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $33,514 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,967. More information about a degree in creative writing from Austin Community College District

3

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #3. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $37,618. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $21,765 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at Texas State University San Marcos

4

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the top schools for creative writing. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 43 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $34,240 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. See the full creative writing program report for University Of Arizona

5

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

A rank of #5 makes Northern Arizona University one of the top schools for creative writing. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 13 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $39,899 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,645. Get the full creative writing details for Northern Arizona University

6

University Of St Thomas Texas
Houston, TX

University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #6 position for creative writing this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of St Thomas Texas

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for creative writing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Arizona State University earn around $44,411 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,114 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for Arizona State University

8

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 15 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $46,943 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447. See the full creative writing program report for Chandler Gilbert Community College

9

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 50 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $63,112. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete this degree. Get the full creative writing details for The University Of Texas At El Paso

10

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Stephen F Austin State University graduates 53% of students within six years. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 16 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Stephen F Austin State University earn around $25,292 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,726. Read more about the creative writing program at Stephen F Austin State University

11

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria placed #11 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. There were roughly 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Typical student debt for the program is $24,081. See the full creative writing program report for University Of Houston Victoria

12

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 15 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Mesa Community College earn around $54,730 in the first couple years of their career. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from Mesa Community College

13

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates 37% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Oklahoma in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $25,268 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,917. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Central Oklahoma

14

Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture
Santa Fe, NM

Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture came in at #14 for creative writing this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public institution. Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture graduates 11% of students within six years. Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture awarded about 25 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture generally make around $29,835. See the full creative writing program report for Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture