ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Creative Writing Schools in the The Plains States Region

9 Colleges in the United States
381 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded
$39,614 Avg Early-Career Salary

Creative Writing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best creative writing schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/creative-writing/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 10
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 23.13), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Creative Writing (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Creative Writing (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Creative Writing & English" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Creative Writing & English" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MFA in Creative Writing - Online" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MFA in Creative Writing - Online" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Professional Writing (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Professional Writing (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MA in English & Creative Writing" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MA in English & Creative Writing" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA English in Professional Writing" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA English in Professional Writing" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "English (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 7
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Creative Writing in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall creative writing education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Creative Writing

1
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in creative writing. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. About 10 creative writing degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Macalester College earn around $29,487 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full creative writing program report for Macalester College

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in creative writing, landing the #2 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 15 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $60,324 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741. Get the full creative writing details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

3

Students looking for a strong creative writing program will find one at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 25 creative writing degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $32,350 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at Washington University In St Louis

4
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in creative writing, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 53 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,651. Typical student debt for the program is $24,862. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Iowa

5

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates 57% of students within six years. About 17 creative writing degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $53,079 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,943. Read more about the creative writing program at University Of Missouri St Louis

6

Concordia University Saint Paul placed #6 among the best creative writing schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. About 11 creative writing degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $54,835 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,026. See the full creative writing program report for Concordia University Saint Paul

7

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #7 for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, creative writing degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $47,377. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. Get the full creative writing details for Missouri State University Springfield

8

Normandale Community College came in at #8 for creative writing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Normandale Community College awarded about 13 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,162. See the full creative writing program report for Normandale Community College

9
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #9 for creative writing this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 44 creative writing degrees were awarded at Hamline University in the most recent year. Creative Writing graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $27,167 early in their careers. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the creative writing program at Hamline University

10

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #10 for creative writing this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $26,225 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,260. Get the full creative writing details for Minnesota State University Mankato

11
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University earned the #11 position for creative writing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Charles. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Lindenwood University awarded about 81 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Creative Writing graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,018 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for Lindenwood University

12
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University came in at #12 for creative writing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Truman State University awarded about 15 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their creative writing degree from Truman State University earn around $16,569 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete this degree. Read more about the creative writing program at Truman State University

13

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best creative writing schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 35 creative writing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $26,360 in their early career. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates carry a median of $24,825 in student loans. More information about a degree in creative writing from University Of Nebraska At Omaha

14

Wichita State University placed #14 among the best creative writing schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the creative writing program make about $49,278 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete this degree. See the full creative writing program report for Wichita State University

ADBLOCK #173
View All Creative Writing Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options