where to study creative writing

Best Universities for Creative Writing in the World

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by 1,501 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. University of Toronto

For Creative Writing

2. University of Oxford

3. University College London

4. Columbia University

5. University of Cambridge

6. King's College London

7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

8. University of British Columbia

9. University of Texas at Austin

10. Stanford University

11. University of Manchester

12. University of California - Berkeley

13. University of Alberta

14. Yale University

15. Pennsylvania State University

16. Ohio State University

17. University of Southern California

18. New York University

19. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

20. University of Edinburgh

21. University of Wisconsin - Madison

22. University of Exeter

23. University of Chicago

24. University of California - Los Angeles

25. University of Sydney

26. Arizona State University - Tempe

27. Cornell University

28. Harvard University

29. University of Sheffield

30. University of Melbourne

31. University of Birmingham

32. University of Nottingham

33. University of Leeds

34. McGill University

35. University of Pennsylvania

36. University of Washington - Seattle

37. University of Virginia

38. Monash University

39. Emory University

40. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

41. University of Bristol

42. University of Maryland - College Park

43. University of Queensland

44. Lancaster University

45. York University

46. University of Arizona

47. Durham University

48. Princeton University

49. University of York

50. University of Warwick

51. Michigan State University

52. University of Glasgow

53. University of South Florida

54. University of California - Santa Barbara

55. University of Auckland

56. University of Calgary

57. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

58. University of Amsterdam

59. Boston College

60. Cardiff University

61. University of Sussex

62. University of California - Irvine

63. University of London

64. University of Illinois at Chicago

65. London School of Economics and Political Science

66. Tel Aviv University

67. Hebrew University of Jerusalem

68. Catholic University of Leuven

69. University of Haifa

70. Aarhus University

71. Florida State University

72. University of Southampton

73. Queen Mary University of London

74. University of Oslo

75. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

76. University of St Andrews

77. University of Pittsburgh

78. University of Victoria

79. Lund University

80. University of New South Wales

81. University of California - Santa Cruz

82. Royal Holloway, University of London

83. University of Liverpool

84. University of Helsinki

85. University of Notre Dame

86. Temple University

87. Northwestern University

88. Education University of Hong Kong

89. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

90. University of Florida

91. Vanderbilt University

92. University of Waikato

93. Griffith University

94. Newcastle University

95. University of Copenhagen

96. Macquarie University

97. Carnegie Mellon University

98. Georgetown University

99. Boston University

100. University of California-San Diego

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The 13 Best Colleges for Creative Writing Degrees

• 16-minute read
• 23rd February 2023

So, you want to pursue a creative writing degree program in the United States. Wonderful! If you are passionate about writing and you’re an avid reader, a career in fiction writing would be the way to go! When it comes to choosing the right MFA (Master of Fine Arts) program – in this case, creative writing – you might be wondering which schools have the best program. What career opportunities are there after graduation? What courses will I take in the program? What’s the admission process like?

A creative writing program will immerse you in your craft, help you develop writing discipline, and provide critical feedback on your writing. The program should also be highly reputable and produce top-quality writers.

You must decide whether you want to attend a public or a private college . This choice can be important because of student population size, tuition fees, and reputation. Private colleges will be considerably more expensive than public ones. Do you want to attend college in a small town or a big city? Is the school located somewhere that can provide ample writing inspiration? It’s important to know that some schools provide more student opportunities in their program, yet others have stronger networking connections. This distinction can be crucial once you’ve graduated from the program.

This post will highlight the benefits of a creative writing degree, including career opportunities after graduation. We’ll also discuss what you’ll need to apply. Finally, we’ll highlight our top list of creative writing schools in the United S tates. After you’ve read this post, you’ll better understand the opportunities these schools provide.

What Is a Creative Writing Degree?

A creative writing degree prepares you for a career as a writer of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or drama. It’s also suitable for those wishing to enter the field of editing or publishing. The program immerses students in writing and provides valuable writing opportunities and feedback.

Career Opportunities After Graduation

Graduates usually find jobs as authors, copywriters, journalists, editors, columnists, or screenwriters. Additionally, graduates find opportunities to become editors for big publishing agencies, which work with some of the most famous best-selling fiction authors.

What Subjects Are Typically Covered?

You can expect to take plenty of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry workshops. Almost all programs provide compulsory introduction to fiction and poetry classes. In addition, you’ll likely take courses in screenwriting, medieval literature, and traditions in fiction. Finally, some courses focus on writing prompts (a daddy for writing inspiration).

Factors to Consider in Choosing a College for a Creative Writing Degree

Although the following factors will vary from college to college, you should consider them carefully:

●  Location and campus culture

●  Faculty and resources available

●  Alumni network and professional connections

●  Internships and work opportunities (internships will provide valuable work experience)

Admission Process

You should know that many creative writing degree programs are very selective. For this reason, you’ll need to prove your passion for writing and reading. First, you’ll need to apply to the college of your choice. This will mean submitting an admission essay as well as the application form. Creative writing degree programs will also want a writing sample, such as a poem or a short story. However, these don’t have to be works you’ve published.

Additionally, you’ll need to submit the following to your chosen college:

●  Referee information (must not be a friend or a relative)

●  Official transcripts

●  TOEFL or IELTS test results (if English is not your native language)

●  GRE scores

Gathering all required documentation for admission will be time-consuming, so you’ll want to get started early. Ideally, you should start applying nine months before your program begins. For example, if the program starts in August, you should begin applying in November of the previous year.

1. Northwestern University

Established in 1851, Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois (just outside Chicago). With approximately 22,000 students, it’s a private institution with a six-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. Professors in the creative writing program are award-winning authors. Northwestern is known for producing successful authors such as Karen Russell and Veronica Roth . It also features a top journalism program. Students in the creative writing program can get involved with the student-run literary journal, intern at a Chicago publication, or submit an entry to the yearly writing competition of the English Department.

Additionally, students can learn from talented writers at the Annual Writers’ Festival . Students can even submit their work to the school’s annual writing competition. So, if gaining professional writing experience is important, Northwestern might just be what you’re looking for! Plus, Chicago’s iconic landmarks and lakeside beaches provide robust inspiration for writers!

“My Northwestern creative workshops, where I honed my editorial skills, were instrumental in setting me down a career path in publishing.”

–  Laura Biagi, Class of 2009

2. Columbia University

Located in New York City (known colloquially as the Big Apple), Columbia was established in 1754. It’s the fifth-oldest American institution of higher learning. It has around 36,000 students, and people consider it one of the great elite private colleges in America. Like Northwestern, Columbia has a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school. Great writers have attended Columbia, including J.D. Salinger and Federico Garcia Lorca. The creative writing curriculum includes rigorous writing workshops at all levels and seminars exclusively for creative writing students. In these workshops, students produce original works of writing and submit them to classmates and professors for critical analysis. To study at Columbia is to be part of a distinguished group of like-minded writers.

If that isn’t enough to convince you, many consider New York City America’s literary capital. It’s home to major publishing houses, literary journals, picturesque parks, iconic landmarks, and talented authors from around the globe. The Big Apple has no shortage of inspiration for prospective writers!

“Before being accepted into the program, I didn’t have the confidence to critique my work seriously.”

–  Mary Mann, Class of 2015

3. University of Iowa

If you prefer to study in a location away from the hustle and bustle of a big city, the University of Iowa might be your answer! Founded in 1847, this public institution has about 31,000 students. It’s located in Iowa City, and the nearest major city is Chicago. However, studying in Iowa can provide an opportunity to go off the beaten path.

Here are some highlights of the university and Iowa City:

●  Iowa City is a designated UNESCO City of Literature.

●  The city’s annual Book Festival attracts people from across the American Midwest.

●  The MFA of the university’s nonfiction writing program has been voted number one in creative nonfiction in the United States.

●  Students have access to the university’s literary community, which offers frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and The Iowa Review , an acclaimed literary journal.

●  Tennessee Williams is an alumnus of the program.

●  Like Columbia, the University of Iowa strongly values the workshop method.

We recommend checking out this video for a deeper dive into the world of creative writing at Iowa.

4. Emory University

Emory, founded in 1836, is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. If you prefer a university in a warm climate, Atlanta is a good choice. Compared with cities in the northern states, Atlanta experiences mild winters, though you might get cold snaps and the odd snowfall. Emory has around 15,000 students and has an affiliation with the United Methodist Church.

Emory’s dedicated undergraduate creative writing program draws distinguished visiting scholars and writers. Other notable program highlights include:

●  Opportunities to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors

●  Faculty who are professional practitioners in the writing field

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●  Studies in a range of genres, such as fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting

●  Annual writing contests

●  Writing awards and scholarships

●  The opportunity to work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project

Students will also find writing opportunities outside the classroom in the Atlanta area. The city has several writing organizations and clubs, such as the Atlanta Writers Club , the Georgia Writers Association , and Village Writers Group.

5. Oberlin College

Founded in 1833, Oberlin is a small liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, 31 miles south of Cleveland. It has just under 3,000 students. If you’re seeking a really small school, Oberlin is worth pursuing! It’s known for the robust quality of teachers and the variety of courses in the creative writing program. Two of the courses are Plot and Structure and Race and Poetic Innovation. In addition, you’ll find a robust workshop culture at Oberlin. The downside is that the city lacks opportunities to pursue writing. However, great opportunities exist in other Ohio cities, such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Moreover, Ohio is the home of the late American novelist Toni Morrison.

It’s worth mentioning that Oberlin’s creative writing program has notable alumni, such as Lena Dunham , an actress and writer.

“I feel so consistently lucky to have such dedicated professors. Everyone I’ve worked with in the Creative Writing Program deeply cares about their students both as writers and as people. Classes are small, so you’re able to actually know and trust each other, which is important for productive workshopping.”

–  Fiona Warnick, Class of 2022

6. Hamilton College

Chartered as a college in 1812, Hamilton is in the upstate New York village of Clinton, between Syracuse and Albany. It has 2,000 students and 1,350 acres of campus space. Hamilton strongly believes in giving students the freedom to pursue their own interests, an ethos that explains why the college’s motto is “Know Thyself.”

Hamilton’s creative writing program is known for its small classes and plentiful opportunities to intern and publish. Hamilton also has one of the best writing centers in the nation. Students take courses that balance literary study with poetry and prose workshops. The program emphasizes learning to write with attentiveness to form and genre. Students write a creative project that demonstrates originality and attention to language.

If you like a creative writing school that’s “current with the times,” Hamilton has recently renovated List Hall, which houses the program. The hall features collaborative spaces for students and a new landscaped entrance.

7. Brown University

Founded in 1764, Brown is a leading research university in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown’s student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose make it distinct. In fact, many American high schoolers dream of studying at Brown! It has just under 10,000 students, and its literary arts program is one of the top MFAs in the United States. Students can choose one of three tracks: fiction, poetry, or digital/cross-disciplinary writing – a plus if your aim is fiction writing, for example! Although students must take certain classes, they can design much of their curriculum. Brown also provides financial aid to students in the program through a first-year fellowship. Additionally, students can teach undergraduate workshops during their second year. Brown is a special place for writers who envision new paths in fiction, poetry, and digital language arts.

8.  Washington University in St. Louis

It might surprise you that Washington University is in St. Louis, Missouri, rather than Washington, DC. Since 1853, Washington University has dared to challenge the unknown and taken great pride in its teaching, research, and service to society. The university has a renowned creative writing program with several scholarships. The undergraduate English program also offers a concentration, which allows students to specialize in a specific writing genre: fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. The program even has a special concentration in publishing! Students often find internships with companies such as Atlantic Media, Business Insider, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Washington University should be on your list if you already have a specific writing genre in mind!

9.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

You might not associate writing with an institute of technology. However, MIT has a wonderful program that features courses in digital media, science writing, and creative writing. Since its incorporation in 1861, MIT has been educating future leaders with a three-to-one student-to-faculty ratio in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Apologies if you were expecting MIT to be in Boston. However, don’t let Cambridge put you off. The city is a haven for book lovers and writers from all walks of life, so you’ll find plenty of writing pursuits outside of class! And when it comes to finding work after graduation, the program provides lots of guidance for navigating the tricky job market.

10.  University of Michigan

If you’ve ever watched NCAA football, you’re probably familiar with the University of Michigan. Founded in Detroit in 1817, Michigan is ranked the third-best national undergraduate public university. The university’s main campus is in the small city of Ann Arbor, ranked the number one best small college town in America.

The University of Michigan has a top-notch MFA program. The undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications provide crucial practice in building a writing portfolio and articulating an interest in creative writing. In addition, the university has two student-run literary journals: Xylem Magazine and Fortnight Literary Press . Both publish students’ best works – an excellent way to get your writing noticed!

Screenwriter Jennifer Freides graduated from the program. “I learned to read fast, manage my time, think critically, organize my thoughts, and speak with clarity at U-M.”

With nearly 50,000 students, the University of Michigan is a top choice for those looking for a big school with a great MFA program!

11.  Johns Hopkins University

This private research university was founded in 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland, and it takes its name from nineteenth-century Maryland philanthropist Johns Hopkins. With 24,000 students, Johns Hopkins (or JHU, its more common name) ranks consistently among the most prestigious universities in the United States. Novelists John Barth and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie graduated from here, as did the famous horror film director Wes Craven.

Although people know JHU more for its engineering program, it does have a reputable writing program. Students in the program take courses in philosophy and history in addition to classes in prose, poetry, and literature. The creative writing program has journalism, the arts, and publishing internship opportunities. Additionally, short story writers might be interested in the program’s Danielle Alyse Basford Writing Prize .

Baltimore is no stranger to the literary world, as the American writer Edgar Allan Poe spent several years here. His poem The Raven is the namesake of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. You can visit the Poe House and Museum to see the writing desk and chair where Poe created some of his famous work!

12.  Colorado College

Colorado College was founded in 1874 and is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It’s a small liberal arts college with over 2,000 students. People know the college mainly for its Block Plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. Students will find that the creative writing track interweaves craft, imagination, and a lively literary framework. It includes a sequence of four writing workshops and mandatory attendance at the Visiting Writers Series. Attending readings at the Visiting Writers Series will deeply immerse students in the written word at Colorado College. In addition, students will find plenty of opportunities within the program, from AMC college writing contests to the student-led spoken word group, SpeakEasy. If you’re an outdoorsy writer, you’ll love Colorado Springs! It’s surrounded by picturesque hiking opportunities, including Garden of the Gods ! If you envision taking one class at a time at a small liberal arts school, you should consider Colorado College!

13.  New York University

New York University (NYU) is another prestigious university in New York City. It was established in 1831 and is currently the largest private university in the United States, with more than 11,000 students. It even has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. As mentioned, New York is the American literary epicenter. Although NYU doesn’t offer a creative writing major, it’s an excellent school for aspiring writers. You’ll still find workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Classes are small, with a maximum of 15 students, and the school has a student-edited literary journal called West 10 th . The school also offers intensive summer writing programs in Florence and Paris, so students can develop their craft while living the writer’s life in Italy or France. The faculty consists of award-winning poets, short story writers, and novelists, and many of them have received Pulitzer Prizes and NEA Fellowships. So, although NYU lacks a creative writing major, it has a fine reputation, small classes, and ample opportunities to develop your writing craft!

So, there you have our list of top creative writing schools. Let’s recap key points from our post:

●  Creative writing programs are pretty selective, so you should be genuinely passionate about reading and writing.

●  Private schools have the best reputation and small classes. However, they can be really expensive.

●  You will need to submit at least one writing sample as part of your application.

●  Creative writing programs are heavy in workshop culture.

●  New York City is America’s literary capital.

●  Most programs have literary journals where you can submit your work.

●  A faculty of professional writers will be your teachers.

●  Graduates often go on to become authors, editors, and copywriters. Getting into publishing is also a possibility.

Whichever school you choose, it must be the right fit for you! While one might be great for some people, it might not resonate with you. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to visit the school if possible. Even a virtual tour will suffice. We also suggest reaching out to current professors for more information. You can even reach out to current or past students through LinkedIn. Finally, take your time when researching schools. Got more questions about creative writing? We recommend this video !

Thanks for reading!

1. How important is location when you are considering a creative writing program?

You’ll want to prioritize a location with a vibrant literary scene rather than one with a warm climate. There should be plenty of opportunities to engage with writing in the community outside the classroom. There should also be various career opportunities within the community after graduation.

2. What is the cost of attending a creative writing program in the United States?

The cost will depend on whether the school is public or private. Public school tuition will be roughly $17,000 to $20,000 US. On the other hand, private schools will be considerably more expensive, especially Columbia and Hamilton. You can expect tuition to be between $50,000 and $69,000 US.

 3. Where can I get feedback on my college application?

Great question! We recommend leaving this to our team of proofreading experts at Proofed! They can check for grammar and punctuation errors and ensure perfect spelling. They will also ensure that the application uses appropriate academic language. Consider submitting a 500-word document for free today!

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Master of Arts in Creative Writing

Our two graduate programs differ in scope, distinguished by innovative classes. Both include seminars, workshops, opportunities for community projects and a thesis.

The M.A. degree, like the M.F.A., provides students with the inspiration and guidance of a faculty of professional writers in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer. The curriculum emphasizes the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting and poetry. The 30 unit degree combines an intense workshop requirement and a variety of special topic creative process classes as well as courses that expose students to a wide range of writers and community service learning opportunities. The creative writing courses reflect our commitment to a variety of styles, subjects, and approaches, recognizing the complexity and breadth of contemporary writing. Graduates of the M.A. Program are instructed in literary analysis and develop their craft to constructively critique their own work and that of others. As a culminating experience, the student submits a thesis of creative work in their chosen genre.

Read more about our programs in our graduate brochure and our  graduate handbook  (pdf).

Please email  [email protected]  with any questions! 

Please do not use the Degree Progress Report to track your degree progress. The DPR is not yet in use for our Graduate students at this time and may not be accurate.

• M.A. in Creative Writing
• M.A. in English: Creative Writing (Last offered Fall 2021)
• Applying to the MFA as an MA Student
• Graduate Applications
• Application FAQs
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The Master of Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year program with a focus on developing a writing practice as well as preparing students to teach creative writing.  The Master of Fine Arts is a three-year program and is considered the terminal degree in creative writing. The program may benefit in particular teachers who want to increase their range and earning potential with a Masters degree and/or individuals who want to teach creative writing at private schools, community venues, labs and salons.  As part of the M.A. in CW, students can choose to study the teaching of composition, and receive a certificate, a skill that translates into any level of teaching and various subjects that include writing.

The M.A. degree, like the M.F.A., provides students with the inspiration and guidance of a faculty of professional writers in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer. The curriculum emphasizes the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry. The degree combines an intense workshop requirement and a variety of special topic creative process classes as well as courses that expose students to a wide range of writers and community service learning opportunities. The creative writing courses reflect our commitment to a variety of styles, subjects, and approaches, recognizing the complexity and breadth of contemporary writing. Graduates of the M.A. Program are instructed in literary analysis and develop their craft to constructively critique their own work and that of others. As a culminating experience, the student submits a thesis of creative work in their chosen genre.

In addition to the workshop and process courses, students in the M.A. in Creative Writing elect one of two teaching pathways. The pathway leading to an emphasis in teaching creative writing includes a rigorous course in the pedagogy and philosophy of teaching creative writing (TCW 860); a Teaching Practicum Course (859), in which the student gains in-class undergraduate teaching experience as a Graduate Instructional Aide while continuing their study of pedagogy with a seasoned faculty member and a group of peers; and, Projects in Teaching Creative Writing (785), a course that allows students to deepen their teaching experience as a Graduate Instructional Aide under faculty supervision. This teaching curriculum makes our M.A. unique within the nation of creative writing graduate degrees. The pathway leading to the teaching of composition allows students to earn the English Composition Certificate, offered by the English Department, by electing to take four courses (12 units) in English composition. Students on this path would earn an M.A. in Creative Writing along with the English Composition Certificate.

This course of study would lead students to a Masters of Arts degree in creative writing. The combination of workshop and process courses ensures that students would be prepared should they wish to continue on as an M.F.A. candidate in a creative writing program.

All students in the M.A. Creative Writing degree program would be eligible to apply for a Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) position in their second year of study. A GTA is hired to teach a 101/301 Fundamentals of Creative Writing course. The GTA must be enrolled in at least one unit of study with the university to be eligible. Students in the M.A. also may apply for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (54 units) either to switch to the terminal degree program or to complete both degrees, with a separate thesis for each. In no case will a student be admitted to both programs simultaneously.

View the Bulletin page for the M.A. in Creative Writing .

View the M.A. in Creative Writing Advising sheet (PDF)

For the current M.A. offering, see the NEW - M.A. IN CREATIVE WRITING (FALL 2021).

View the Bulletin page for the M.A. in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing .

Are you an M.A. student who would like to Complete both an M.A. and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing? You can use up to 24 units of M.A. coursework towards our M.F.A. Completing both programs can be without the need to repeat the coursework! 

To be admitted to the M.F.A. after you complete your SF State Creative Writing M.A. degree, you must apply to the M.F.A. program in the appropriate timeline to be admitted for the semester you will be entering the M.F.A. Applications are only reviewed for Fall admission. If your intended semester to begin your M.F.A. is in the Spring, please apply for to the previous admission cycle. There are no guarantees of admission to the M.F.A. from our M.A. Please   apply through the Cal State Apply portal .

If you are an M.A. Student who does not wish to complete your M.A., and is choosing instead to move into the M.F.A. program, please submit the following items to Katherine Kwid by email at  [email protected]  for distribution to the application review committee.

• Statement of purpose, briefly write (500 words) why you wish to study at the graduate level, what led you to choose creative writing, your experience writing and reading, etc.

One manuscript in one of the following genres: creative nonfiction or fiction: 15-20 pages double-spaced, single-sided pages (either one or more stories, or 15-20 pages of a longer work); 15 poems;  1 play: either a finished play of any length, or 20-25 pages of dramatic writing (theater plays only! No Film scripts, no radio plays, nor television plays; they will not be considered); 10 pages of literary translation into English, accompanied by 10 pages of the literature in the original language. Manuscripts must be legibly typed to be considered.

Two letters of recommendation, preferably from an academic reference, such as a former instructor, tutor, or someone who can speak of your writing skills from a position of knowledge.

One unofficial transcript

If you are offered a seat in the M.F.A., the offer of admission will have a change of graduate program form included which will move you to the M.F.A. officially. 

Deadlines for Fall 2025 Admission: 

Fall 2025 applications open October 1. The Creative Writing Department does not offer Spring admissions to the Graduate Programs in Creative Writing. 

• Round 1 Deadline: February 15 for Priority Consideration for Scholarships
• Round 2 Deadline: April 19; due to paperwork deadlines, applications submitted after February 15th may not be considered for scholarship.

We are moving to an all online application process; all materials for the application are to be uploaded via the Cal State Apply for Graduate Study  website. Creative Writing only has applications open once a year, however you can choose to defer your study for a semester if you are interested in starting in the spring. Applicants need a B.A. degree, or equivalent, and a 3.0 GPA or equivalent. 

Cal State Apply for graduate admission materials required for either the M.A. Creative Writing Degree Objective or the M.F.A. Creative Writing Degree Objective:

• Cal State Apply for Graduate Study
• Cal State Apply application fee; currently $70.
• One set of unofficial transcripts for  all  college and/or university coursework (If you are chosen for admission, official transcripts will be requested to finalize admission). Please note: If you previously attended SF State University, you do not need to submit an SF State transcript. All are submitted electronically by uploading, as part of this complete application to Cal State Apply for Graduate Study  
• One manuscript in one of the following genres: creative nonfiction or fiction: 15-20 pages double-spaced, single-sided pages (either one or more stories, or 15-20 pages of a longer work); 15 poems;  1 play: either a finished play of any length, or 20-25 pages of dramatic writing (theater plays only! No Film scripts, no radio plays, nor television plays; they will not be considered); 10 pages of literary translation into English, accompanied by 10 pages of the literature in the original language. Manuscripts must be legibly typed to be considered.
• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from an academic reference, such as a former instructor, tutor, or someone who can speak of your writing skills from a position of knowledge. Creative Writing does not have a template for letter writers.  

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: please reference Cal State Apply for International Students for the following:

• Academic requirements by  country .
• English language  requirements .
• Summary of CSU Application for Graduate Study  process .

FAQs for the Graduate Application

Please click on the following question to be taken to the answer on this page. If your question is not addressed on this page, please email Katherine Kwid at  [email protected] .

• I'm interested in a graduate degree in Creative Writing, but I'm not sure if the M.A. or the M.F.A. is right for me. What is the difference between the M.A. and the M.F.A. ?
• What do I need in order to qualify for a graduate degree in Creative Writing ?
• I'm about to send in my application materials that are requested by the Creative Writing Department, but am afraid I've forgotten something! What is supposed to be included ?
• I just got an email from the Division of Graduate Studies that told me I am missing items for my application. I'm not sure what items are missing. How can I find that out ?
• I'm not sure who to ask for my letters of recommendation. What is the Admissions Committee looking for ?
• How many students are admitted to the Graduate Program each year ?
• Can I apply for Spring Admission ?
• Is the GRE required for admission to the Creative Writing Graduate Programs ?
• I'm not sure how to finance my education. Does SF State offer any financial assistance ?
• How much does it cost to be an M.F.A. or an M.A. student in Creative Writing ?
• How do I establish residency ?
• I've been accepted to the M.F.A. (or M.A.), but something has come up. Can I defer my admission ?

I'm interested in a graduate degree in Creative Writing, but I'm not sure if the M.A. or the M.F.A. is right for me. What is the difference between the M.A. and the M.F.A.?

• The M.A. degree program is 30 semester units: 3-6 units (1-2 classes) of writing classes, 3-6 units of process classes, 3-6 units of special topic creative process courses, 9-12 units of teaching courses guided elective classes and a 3 unit thesis (written creative work); the time it takes to finish the M.A. program typically is two years, but you have up to seven years to complete the program. California community colleges typically want to hire people with an M.A. in English; this degree will increase your potential for obtaining a teaching position in 2 year colleges.
• The M.F.A. degree program is 54 semester units, with a fair amount of latitude in your choice between workshop, seminar and literature seminar classes (there is a required minimum of 2 M.F.A. workshops and 2 M.F.A. seminars) and a 6 unit thesis (written creative work): the time it takes to finish the M.F.A. program typically is three to four years, but again, you have up to seven years to complete the program. Four year university creative writing departments typically hire adjunct and permanent faculty with this degree. BOTH degrees will prepare you for application to Ph.D. programs.
• One way of getting a feel for the program beyond our bulletin requirements, is to attend an event, either at the  SF State Poetry Center  or one of the many events listed on our public  Facebook page  (public - so you don't need to have a Facebook account to view all content, simply click on the "f" icon on the right-hand side of our webpage.)

What do I need in order to qualify for a graduate degree in Creative Writing?

•  A bachelor's degree or a recognized equivalent from a regionally accredited institution (See the Bulletin for information regarding Applicants from Institutions Without Regional Accreditation).
• A satisfactory scholastic average; a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0.
• In good academic standing at the last college or university attended.
• Complete the application process outlined on the Graduate Application section on this page.
• Completing these steps does not guarantee entry to the program. A formal offer of admission will be sent to you by mail by the Division of Graduate Study after the decisions have been made. 

I'm about to upload my supplementary application materials that are requested by the Department of Creative Writing, but am concerned I may have forgotten something! What is supposed to be included?

• One manuscript sample of your work (appropriate submissions are detailed on the Graduate Applications tab on this page).
• One 500 word statement of purpose.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Unofficial transcripts for each institution attended

I just got an email from the Division of Graduate Study that told me I am missing items for my application. I'm not sure what items are missing. How can I find that out?

• Open a browser (Internet Explorer is recommended for best function) to the San Francisco State University Website .
• Click the Login link at the top of the page.
• Click SF Gateway.
• Enter your SF State ID and your password. If you have forgotten your password, click the link below the login box. 
• Click on Academics, under STUDENT.
• Click on the Student Center "button" in the bottom of the box in the middle of the page.
• On the right hand side, there is a "To Do List". You will find the items that are missing listed under the "To Do List" .

I'm not sure who to ask for my letters of recommendations. What is the Admissions Committee looking for?

• Your options range widely, anywhere from a writer in the field of Creative Writing, to a teacher or professor of an unrelated subject who knows your study habits. People who can speak of your skills as a writer are preferred, but not necessary.

How many students apply to and are admitted to the Graduate Program each year?

• Our program admits between 30 and 50 Graduate students per year, and we get approximately 130 applications per year. Approximately 1/4 of the admitted students are admitted to our MA program. 

Can I apply for Spring Admission?

• No. Our admission dates are from October 1 to February 15 each year (unless extended), for the following Fall semester only. Students admitted for the fall semester may request to defer their admission for up to two semesters for serious and compelling reasons, if spring admission is desired. This includes financial reasons, health reasons, and more. This does not include students who are denied a VISA. 

Is the GRE required for admission to the Creative Writing Graduate Programs?

• No, the GRE is not required for the application to the Department of Creative Writing.

I'm not sure how to finance my education. Does SF State offer any financial assistance? 

• New students in both graduate programs are automatically considered for our three scholarships for new students: The Joe Brainard Fellowship (two or more prizes, amount varies between $1000-$5000), the William Dickey Fellowship in poetry (two prizes; amount varies between $500 – $2000), Miriam Ylvisaker Fellowship in Fiction (one prize; amount varies between $500-$1000 scholarship)
• The Kathryn A. Manoogian Scholarship (one prize; amount varies between $500 - $2000) is awarded to one graduate student, new or continuing, based on merit and financial need. A call for applications will be posted to our students at the beginning of the fall semester.
• For information on applying for financial aid, please contact the financial aid office;  [email protected] . SF State Financial Aid Office website. Please be advised that it has come to our attention that California State University Grants, SUG, are available for only ONE graduate degree per student. If you have other questions about Financial Aid, including the SUG issue, you should probably email  [email protected] .
• The Federal Student Aid website has information for international applications about U.S. Financial Aid eligibility requirements.
• The Financial Aid Office at SF State also has more information about other scholarships.
• The University and national scholarships page is a resource web page that offers useful links, including information about how to make a one-on-one appointment with a fellowship advisor. Of special interest to graduate student is the Graduate Equity Fellowship.
• Each Spring Semester, graduate students in Creative Writing are invited to apply to teach undergraduate Creative Writing courses as Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAs). Three to five positions are available each academic year. Interested students submit a cover letter and a detailed 15-week syllabus for an introductory Creative Writing course in fiction, poetry and playwriting. Submitted syllabi are expected to demonstrate a robust, inventive engagement with the course's subject matter and to proceed from a thoughtful pedagogy. The Teaching Creative Writing course, Creative Writing 860, offers students the opportunity to develop teaching materials over the course of a semester-long engagement in pedagogical study and course preparation. It is highly recommended that students applying for GTA positions take both Creative Writing 860 and Creative Writing 859, Practicum in Teaching, in which students work as Graduate Instructional Aides for instructors teaching undergraduate Creative Writing courses. Applicants for GTA positions must have classified standing in the SF State Creative Writing M.F.A. program, the M.A program in English / Creative Writing, or the M.A. program in Creative Writing. 

How much does it cost to be an M.F.A. or an M.A. student in Creative Writing?

Note:  Campus fees should be regarded as  estimates  that are subject to change upon approval by the President and/or Student Fee Committee, without notice.

CURRENT fees PER SEMESTER for graduate study at SF State:

More information about California resident fees can be found on the SF State Bursar website.

• Out of State/International, these fees are based on the California resident fees, plus $396 per unit: - 3 Units (1 course): $2,082 + $1,188 = $3,270 - 6 units (2 courses): $2,082 + $2,276 = $4,458 - 9 units (3 courses): $3,588 + $4,458 = $8,046 (3 units x $396 = $1188; 6 units x $396= $2276; 9 units x $396= $4458)

How do I establish residency?

You can find basic guidelines on how to establish residency and find out if you are eligible on the Division of Graduate Studies website . Because neither campus nor Chancellor's Office staff may give advice on the application of these laws, applicants are strongly urged to review the materials for themselves and perhaps consult with a legal advisor. 

Can I defer admission to the Graduate Program in Creative Writing?

You can defer your admission until the following spring or following fall semester to which you applied. This is a department deferral only. You will be required to submit a new application to the CSU mentor for the semester you would like to attend. You will not need to submit new letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, or writing sample and the department will consider you accepted as soon as your application comes through. Please email Katherine,  [email protected] , with any questions. 

Being sheltered doesn’t cut down on opportunities to volunteer for literary organizations: it creates new ones. Many organizations are interested in working at a distance with our students this fall. Early in my search for workable community engagement, quite a few organizations have stepped forward to express interest in CW 675 and 875 students:

These include Nomadic Press, Associated Writing Programs (AWP), Writeaways Residency, Foglifter Magazine, Poetry Flash, Berkeley Poetry Festival, Lyrics and Dirges Reading Series, the Milvia Street Journal, two different organizations that connect writers to incarcerated people, Amnesty International: these are some of the new organizations.

Students will also be free to make their own connection for a writing projects that sustain us through COVID. Class meets at the beginning and end as a group; you do your community project in the middle and contribute through I-Learn to an ongoing discussion of your project. Email Andrew Joron,  [email protected]  if you want to get your own community project idea approved before the class.

CW 675/875 Community Projects in Literature is an opportunity to gain experience in the fields of publication, teaching, and arts administration, which will make valuable additions to your resume. Though each internship will be individually shaped, you will make a commitment of at least six hours a week for the length of the semester to earn three units credit.

Below is link to a list of organizations which you may use as a guide to finding a community project, or you can find one on your own. This list includes on-campus  opportunities, such as the Poetry Center. You also may create your own project as well; for example, teaching writing workshops in community, institution or school settings, or creating a reading series.

Typically, the organizations listed will ask you for a brief resume; try to give them some idea of the kinds of experience you already have.  For example, did you work on a campus journal, can you operate a computer, file, write clearly?

Community Projects Leads

Submitting your ATC and PCE Forms

If you are planning on enrolling in your thesis next semester, please review the following information.

There are two forms due the  semester before  enrollment in your thesis course. These are the Advancement To Candidacy (ATC) form, and the Petition for Culminating Experience (PCE) form, and can be found in step two and three of the Steps to Graduation guidelines . These forms are due November 1 for the following Spring Thesis enrollment, or April 1 for Fall Thesis enrollment. There’s a helpful deadline calendar for all things graduation.

Petition for Culminating Experience ( PCE)

• Please select 893 Written Creative Work to generate the appropriate petition.  
• The Petition for Culminating Experience proposes your thesis. The description needs to be at least 40 words, and we recommend keeping it vague if you think your thesis has the potential to change. The timeline asked for is a general guideline, and not one you will be held to. Your thesis chairperson can help you come up with these dates, and they are generally listed as reviewing sections of the thesis; first 4 chapters, first two acts, x number of poems, and so on.  
• Your thesis chairperson should be a tenured professor of your choosing. Please reach out to the professor to request that they be your thesis chairperson before the petition is submitted. Each professor has a limited number of thesis spots available, and permission is required. The tenured faculty are listed at the top of the Advising page under faculty academic advisors. You will also need a second reader, who is an informal position on your thesis committee. The second reader only signs the paperwork, and will not be working with you on your thesis. Please reach out to a tenure track professor to be the second reader. The only reason I’ve seen someone say no to this informal position is when they will be on leave the semester the thesis is completed. Once a first and second reader have agreed to work with you, please follow directions on this page to upload your 893 paperwork for processing and signatures;  Proposal for Culminating Experience (PCE) | Division of Graduate Studies .

Advancement To Candidacy ( ATC )

• For the ATC form, you will need to list the courses you are using to fulfill the degree requirement. You can determine which courses should be listed by filling out an advising worksheet for your degree, which can be found on our Advising  page. The courses listed on the ATC form will be the same ones you would use to complete the worksheet.  
• The class schedule for the Spring is not yet available, so we ask you to guess which course you would like to use to complete your requirements if you have more than just the thesis course to complete. If the course you guess will be offered does not end up being offered next semester, you would then find an appropriate course to enroll in and submit an ATC substitution form on the Grad Forms website  to amend the course list.  
• If you are using any coursework towards your degree, as approved by your faculty advisor, you will need to fill out an ATC substitution which you can do by following these procedures;  DocuSign .  
• Your graduate advisor should be a tenured professor of your choosing, and this signature is usually given by your thesis chairperson. We do not assign advisors, rather encourage you to reach out to a faculty member you would like to work with in your genre. Tenure track faculty are on the top of the office hours page , or anyone with professor in their title on the people page .  
• Once you have the form completed, follow the submission guidelines for processing and approval available on the Advancement to Candidacy Substitution Submission website.

Please note that completion of these forms does not automatically enroll you in your C W 893 Thesis course. Please request a class number and a permit number from your thesis chairperson when registration begins for the semester of your thesis enrollment.

You can find examples of the petitions below.

• M.A. ATC Sample  (pdf)
• M.F.A. ATC Sample  (pdf)
• PCE Sample  (pdf)
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: (415) 338-1891

Office Hours

Quick links.

• Undergraduate Advising Center
• SF Bulletin
• Academic Calendar

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

35 Best Colleges for Creative Writing – 2024

April 12, 2024

Bookworms and aspiring writers can pursue an undergraduate degree in creative writing where they will tackle coursework covering the reading and writing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry as well as the theory and history of the craft. While becoming the next J.K Rowling, Stephen King, or Margaret Atwood may be the goal, holders of creative writing degrees end up on a variety of career paths. This can include: publishing, editing, journalism, web content management, advertising, or for those who “make it” as writers—the next generation of literary superstars. Our list of Best Colleges for Creative Writing goes beyond the most famous writer factories like the University of Iowa and Columbia University, providing you with 35 institutions known for their stellar programs in this field.

Finally, note that although some of the colleges featured below do not offer a formal major in creative writing, their undergraduate offerings in this subject area are so strong that they warrant inclusion on our list.

Methodology 

Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for creative writing.

Best Creative Writing Colleges

Here’s a quick preview of the first ten creative writing institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Columbia University

2) Brown University

3) Johns Hopkins University

4) University of Chicago

5) Washington University in St Louis

6) Emory University

7) Stanford University

8) Northwestern University

9) Duke University

10) Yale University

All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of creative writing and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best colleges for creative writing, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—each school’s:

• Cost of Attendance
• Acceptance Rate
• Median  SAT
• Median  ACT
• Retention Rate
• Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

• Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
• Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Columbia University

• New York, NY

Academic Highlights: Columbia offers 100+ unique areas of undergraduate study as well as a number of pre-professional and accelerated graduate programs.  Class sizes at Columbia are reasonably small and the student-to-faculty ratio is favorable; however, in 2022, it was revealed that the university had been submitting faulty data in this area. It is presently believed that 58% of undergraduate courses enroll 19 or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (22%), computer science (15%), engineering (14%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Examining the most recent graduates from Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science, 73% had found employment within six months, and 20% had entered graduate school. The median starting salary for graduates of Columbia College/Columbia Engineering is above $80,000. Many graduates get hired by the likes of Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Google, Citi, McKinsey, and Microsoft.

• Enrollment: 8,832
• Cost of Attendance: $89,587
• Median SAT: 1540
• Median ACT: 35
• Acceptance Rate: 4%
• Retention Rate: 98%
• Graduation Rate: 95%

Brown University

• Providence, RI

Academic Highlights: Students must choose one of 80+ “concentration programs,” but there are no required courses. Class sizes tend to be small—68% have fewer than twenty students—and 35% are comprised of nine or fewer students. Biology, economics, computer science, mathematics, and engineering are among the most popular areas of concentration at Brown; however, it is hard to distinguish any one program, because Brown possesses outstanding offerings across so many disciplines.

Professional Outcomes: Soon after receiving their Brown diplomas, 69% of graduates enter the world of employment. Companies employing the greatest number of Brown alums include Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Apple, McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company. The Class of 2022 saw 27% of graduates go directly into graduate/professional school. Right out of undergrad, Brown students boasted an exceptional 81% admission rate to med school and an 81% admission rate to law school.

• Enrollment: 7,639
• Cost of Attendance: $84,828
• Median SAT: 1530
• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Retention Rate: 99%
• Graduation Rate: 96%

Johns Hopkins University

• Baltimore, MD

Academic Highlights: With 53 majors as well as 51 minors, JHU excels in everything from its bread-and-butter medical-related majors to international relations and dance. Boasting an enviable 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and with 78% of course sections possessing an enrollment under 20, face time with professors is a reality. Many departments carry a high level of clout, including biomedical engineering, chemistry, English, and international studies. Biology, neuroscience, and computer science, which happen to be the three most popular majors, can also be found at the top of the national rankings.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 saw 94% of graduates successfully land at their next destination within six months of exiting the university; 66% of graduates entered the world of employment and a robust 19% went directly to graduate/professional school. The median starting salary across all majors was $80,000 for the Class of 2022. JHU itself is the most popular choice for graduate school. The next most frequently attended institutions included Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

• Enrollment: 6,044
• Cost of Attendance: $86,065
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Retention Rate: 97%

University of Chicago

• Chicago, IL

Academic Highlights: There are 53 majors at UChicago, but close to half of all degrees conferred are in four majors: economics, biology, mathematics, and political science, all of which have particularly sterling reputations. Economics alone is the selection of roughly one-fifth of the undergraduate population. Over 75% of undergrad sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students, and undergraduate research opportunities are ubiquitous as 80% of students end up working in a research capacity alongside a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes: On commencement day, 99% of the Class of 2023 were employed or continuing their education. Business and financial services (30%) and STEM (12%) were the two sectors that scooped up the most graduates, but public policy and consulting were also well-represented. The most popular employers of recent grads include Google, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Bank of America, Citi, and Accenture. For those heading to grad school, the top seven destinations are Yale, Columbia, Penn, MIT, Stanford, UCLA, and Johns Hopkins.

• Enrollment: 7,653 (undergraduate); 10,870 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $89,040

Washington University in St. Louis

• St. Louis, MO

Academic Highlights : WashU admits students into five schools, many of which offer nationally recognized programs: Arts & Sciences, the Olin School of Business, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the Art of Architecture programs housed within the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (13%), social sciences (13%), business (13%), biology (11%), and psychology (10%). 66% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and over one-quarter have single-digit enrollments. 65% double major or pursue a minor.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 sent 52% of grads into the workforce and 28% into graduate and professional schools. Companies employing the highest number of WashU grads feature sought-after employers such as Amazon, Bain, Boeing, Deloitte, Google, IBM, Goldman Sachs, and Microsoft. Of the employed members of the Class of 2022 who reported their starting salaries, 79% made more than $60k. The universities welcoming the largest number of Bears included the prestigious institutions of Caltech, Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Stanford.

• Enrollment: 8,132 (undergraduate); 8,880 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $83,760
• Median ACT: 34
• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Retention Rate: 96%
• Graduation Rate: 93%

Emory University

• Atlanta, GA

Academic Highlights: This midsize university offers a diverse array of majors (80+) and minors (60+), and 30% of Emory students pursue more than one area of study. Over half of Emory’s student body works directly with a faculty member on academic research and 58% of courses have class sizes of under twenty students. Ultimately, the greatest number of students go on to earn degrees in the social sciences (15%), biology (14%), business (14%), health professions (12%), and mathematics (9%).

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduation, 66% of 2022 grads were already employed, and 96% had arrived at their next destination. The top employers of recent Emory grads include Deloitte, Epic, ScribeAmerica, Meta, Morgan Stanley, and Cloudmed. Graduates of the Goizueta Business School found strong starting salaries with an average of $81k.  In the last few years, multiple Emory grads/alums received acceptance letters from the following top law schools like Columbia, Berkeley, and Georgetown. Med school acceptances included Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Vanderbilt.

• Enrollment: 7,101
• Cost of Attendance: $83,702
• Median SAT: 1500
• Median ACT: 33
• Retention Rate: 95%
• Graduation Rate: 90%

Stanford University

• Palo Alto, CA

Academic Highlights: Stanford has three undergraduate schools: the School of Humanities & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences. 69% of classes have fewer than twenty students, and 34% have a single-digit enrollment. Programs in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, international relations, and economics are arguably the best anywhere. In terms of sheer volume, the greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (17%), computer science (16%), engineering (15%), and interdisciplinary studies (13%).

Professional Outcomes: Stanford grads entering the working world flock to three major industries in equal distribution: business/finance/consulting/retail (19%); computer, IT (19%); and public policy and service, international affairs (19%). Among the companies employing the largest number of recent grads are Accenture, Apple, Bain, Cisco, Meta, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, Microsoft, and SpaceX. Other companies that employ hundreds of Cardinal alums include LinkedIn, Salesforce, and Airbnb. Starting salaries for Stanford grads are among the highest in the country.

• Enrollment: 8,049 (undergraduate); 10,236 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $87,833

Northwestern University

• Evanston, IL

Academic Highlights : Northwestern is home to six undergraduate schools, including Medill, which is widely regarded as one of the country’s best journalism schools. The McCormick School of Engineering also achieves top rankings, along with programs in economics, social policy, and theatre. The social sciences account for the greatest number of degrees conferred (19%), followed by communications/journalism (13%), and engineering (11%). 45% of classes have nine or fewer students enrolled; 78% have fewer than twenty enrollees. 57% of recent grads had the chance to conduct undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 69% of the Class of 2022 had found employment and 27% were in graduate school. The four most popular professional fields were consulting (18%), engineering (18%), business/finance (16%), and communications/marketing/media (13%). Employers included the BBC, NBC News, The Washington Post , NPR, Boeing, Google, IBM, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Northrop Grumman, and Goldman Sachs. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $73k. Of those headed straight to graduate school, engineering, medicine, and business were the three most popular areas of concentration.

• Enrollment: 8,659 (undergraduate); 14,073 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $91,290
• Graduation Rate: 97%

Duke University

Academic Highlights: The academic offerings at Duke include 53 majors, 52 minors, and 23 interdisciplinary certificates. Class sizes are on the small side—71% are nineteen or fewer, and almost one-quarter are less than ten. A stellar 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps keep classes so reasonable even while catering to five figures worth of graduate students. Computer Science is the most popular area of concentration (11%), followed by economics (10%), public policy (9%), biology (8%), and computer engineering (7%).

Professional Outcomes: At graduation, approximately 70% of Duke diploma-earners enter the world of work, 20% continue into graduate schools, and 2% start their own businesses. The industries that attract the largest percentage of Blue Devils are tech (21%), finance (15%), business (15%), healthcare (9%), and science/research (6%). Of the 20% headed into graduate school, a hefty 22% are attending medical school, 18% are in PhD programs, and 12% are entering law school. The med school acceptance rate is 85%, more than twice the national average.

• Enrollment: 6,640
• Cost of Attendance: $85,238
• SAT Range: 1490-1570
• ACT Range: 34-35
• Acceptance Rate: 6%

Yale University

• New Haven, CT

Academic Highlights: Yale offers 80 majors, most of which require a one- to two-semester senior capstone experience. Undergraduate research is a staple, and over 70% of classes—of which there are over 2,000 to choose from—have an enrollment of fewer than 20 students, making Yale a perfect environment for teaching and learning. Among the top departments are biology, economics, global affairs, engineering, history, and computer science. The social sciences (26%), biology (11%), mathematics (8%), and computer science (8%) are the most popular areas of concentration.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduating, 73% of the Yale Class of 2022 had entered the world of employment and 18% matriculated into graduate programs. Hundreds of Yale alums can be found at each of the world’s top companies including Google, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, and Microsoft. The most common industries entered by the newly hired were finance (20%), research/education (16%), technology (14%), and consulting (12%). The mean starting salary for last year’s grads was $81,769 ($120k for CS majors). Nearly one-fifth of students immediately pursue graduate school.

• Enrollment: 6,590 (undergraduate); 5,344 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $87,705
• Graduation Rate: 98%

Hamilton College

• Clinton, NY

Academic Highlights: The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, and without any pesky graduate students to get in the way, face time with professors is a regular occurrence. In fact, 28% of all classes have nine or fewer students; 72% have nineteen or fewer. Economics, government, and biology are among the strongest and most popular majors; other standout programs include public policy, mathematics, and environmental studies. Thirty percent of students earn social science degrees, with biology (13%), visual and performing arts (9%), physical science (7%), and foreign languages (7%) next in line.

Professional Outcomes: Examining the 491 graduates in Hamilton’s Class of 2022, an enviable 97% wasted no time landing jobs, graduate school acceptances, or fellowships. The most commonly entered industries were finance (17%), education (13%), business (12%), and science/tech (11%). Only 17% of 2022 graduates went directly into an advanced degree program. In one recent year, 33% of Hamilton grads were studying a STEM field, 22% were in the social sciences, 17% pursued a health care degree, and 5% went to law school.

• Enrollment: 2,075
• Cost of Attendance: $82,430
• Median SAT: 1490
• Acceptance Rate: 12%
• Graduation Rate: 92%

Princeton University

• Princeton, NJ

Academic Highlights: 39 majors are available at Princeton. Just under three-quarters of class sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer students, and 31% have fewer than ten students. Princeton is known for its commitment to undergraduate teaching, and students consistently rate professors as accessible and helpful. The Engineering Department is widely recognized as one of the country’s best, as is the School of Public and International Affairs.

Professional Highlights: Over 95% of a typical Tiger class finds their next destination within six months of graduating. Large numbers of recent grads flock to the fields of business and engineering, health/science, & tech. Companies presently employing hundreds of Tiger alumni include Google, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and Meta. The average salary ranges from $40k (education, health care, or social services) to $100k (computer/mathematical positions). Between 15-20% of graduating Tigers head directly to graduate/professional school.

• Enrollment: 5,604 (undergraduate); 3,238 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $86,700

Carnegie Mellon University

• Pittsburgh, PA

Academic Highlights: There are a combined 80+ undergraduate majors and 90 minors available across the six schools. Impressively, particularly for a school with more graduate students than undergrads, CMU boasts a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, with 36% containing single digits. In a given school year, 800+ undergraduates conduct research through the University Research Office. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (21%), computer science (16%), mathematics (12%), business (10%), and visual and performing arts (9%).

Professional Outcomes: By the end of the calendar year in which they received their diplomas, 66% of 2022 grads were employed, and 28% were continuing to graduate school. The companies that have routinely scooped up CMU grads include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Accenture, McKinsey, and Deloitte. With an average starting salary of $105,194, CMU grads outpace the average starting salary for a college grad nationally. Of those pursuing graduate education, around 20% typically enroll immediately in PhD programs.

• Enrollment: 7,509
• Cost of Attendance: $84,412

University of Iowa

• Iowa City, IA

Academic Highlights: 200+ undergraduate majors, minors, and certificate programs are available across eight colleges, including the Tippie College of Business, which has a very strong reputation. The most commonly conferred degree is business (24%), with parks and recreation (10%), social sciences (8%), health professions (8%), engineering (7%), and communication & journalism (5%) next in popularity. Over half of its undergraduate sections enroll 19 or fewer students, and 30% of undergrads conduct or assist research.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of Class of 2022 grads found their first job or advanced degree program within six months of receiving their diploma. The most commonly entered industries were healthcare (23%), entertainment/the arts (14%), finance and insurance (11%), and marketing/PR (10%). Companies that employ hundreds of alumni include Wells Fargo, Collins Aerospace, Principal Financial Group, Amazon, Accenture, and Microsoft. The median salary for 2022 grads was $50,000. 28% of recent graduates went directly into graduate school; 76% remained at the University of Iowa.

• Enrollment: 22,130 (undergraduate); 7,912 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $28,846-$32,259 (in-state); $50,809-$54,822 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1240
• Median ACT: 25
• Acceptance Rate: 85%
• Retention Rate: 89%
• Graduation Rate: 73%

Emerson College

Academic Highlights: All 26 majors offered by the school have some element of performance or artistry and include highly unique academic concentrations such as comedic arts, sports communication, and musical theater. Emerson has a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 69% of courses seat fewer than 20 students. The Journalism and Communications Studies programs rank among the top in the country. By sheer popularity, the top majors are film/video production, journalism, marketing, theater arts, and creative writing.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of leaving Emerson, 61% of recent grads were employed, 4% were enrolled in graduate school, and 35% were still seeking their next landing spot. Top employers include the Walt Disney Company, Warner Media, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and CNN. The average full-time salary for employed grads is $40,255. Of those entering a master’s program, the bulk stay put, pursuing a master’s at Emerson in an area like writing for film and television, creative writing, or journalism.

• Enrollment: 4,149
• Cost of Attendance: $73,000
• Median SAT: 1360
• Median ACT: 31
• Acceptance Rate: 43%
• Retention Rate: 86%
• Graduation Rate: 77%

University of Southern California

• Los Angeles, CA

Academic Highlights : There are 140 undergraduate majors and minors within the Dornsife College of Arts & Sciences alone, the university’s oldest and largest school. The Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and programs in communication, the cinematic arts, and the performing arts are highly acclaimed. Popular areas of study are business (22%), social sciences (11%), visual and performing arts (11%), communications/journalism (9%), and engineering (8%). Most courses enroll 10-19 students, and USC does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The top five industries entered were finance, consulting, advertising, software development, and engineering; the median salary across all majors is an astounding $79k. Presently, between 300 and 1,500 alumni are employed at each of Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Meta. Graduate/professional schools enrolling the greatest number of 2022 USC grads include NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, and UCLA.

• Enrollment: 20,699 (undergraduate); 28,246 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $90,921
• Median SAT: 1510

Cornell University

Academic Highlights: A diverse array of academic programs includes 80 majors and 120 minors spread across the university’s seven schools/colleges. Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 55% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Most degrees conferred in 2022 were in computer science (17%), engineering (13%), business (13%), and biology (13%). The SC Johnson College of Business houses two undergraduate schools, both of which have phenomenal reputations.

Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 68% entered the workforce, 28% entered graduate school, 1% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 3% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. The top sectors attracting campus-wide graduateswere financial services (18%), technology (17%), consulting (15%), and education (10%). Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 15% were pursuing JDs, 5% MDs, and 22% PhDs.

• Enrollment: 15,735
• Cost of Attendance: $88,150
• Median SAT: 1520

Oberlin College

• Oberlin, OH

Academic Highlights: Over 40 majors are available at Oberlin, which is an extremely strong provider of a liberal arts education. 79% of classes had 19 or fewer students enrolled. The greatest number of degrees conferred are typically in music, political science, biology, psychology, and history. The Conservatory of Music has a worldwide reputation, and programs in the natural sciences are similarly strong, leading to remarkable medical school acceptance rates and a high number of future PhD scientists and researchers.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months, 74% of recent grads found employment, 17% enrolled in graduate school, and just 5% were still seeking employment. Multiple recent grads were hired by Google, Netflix, and Sony Pictures. Over the last few years, multiple students have gone on to pursue advanced degrees at Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Brown, Columbia, Princeton, and the University of Michigan. Oberlin also has a reputation for churning out future PhDs and, is among the top 20 schools (per capita) across all disciplines in producing graduates who go on to earn their doctoral degrees.

• Enrollment: 2,986
• Cost of Attendance: $85,496
• Median SAT: 1400-1540
• Median ACT: 32-34
• Acceptance Rate: 33%
• Retention Rate: 87%
• Graduation Rate: 83%

University of Pittsburgh

Academic Highlights: Pitt admits freshmen to the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the Swanson School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing. Pitt’s engineering and business schools are top-rated and among the most commonly chosen fields of study. Premed offerings are also top-notch, with majors in the health professions (12%), biology (11%), psychology (9%), and computer science (9%) rounding out the list of most popular majors. Pitt has a strong 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio; 42% of sections have an enrollment of under twenty students.

Professional Outcomes: Within a few months of graduating, 94% of 2022 grads entered full-time employment or full-time graduate or professional school. Engineering, nursing, business, and information sciences majors had 73-86% employment rates while other majors tended to flock to graduate school in large numbers. Employers scooping up the highest number of grads in one recent year included the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (170), PNC (57), BNY Mellon (36), and Deloitte (19). Median starting salaries fluctuated between $37k-65k depending on major.

• Enrollment: 20,220 (undergraduate); 9,268 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $38,034-$43,254 (in-state); $56,400-$66,840 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 50%
• Retention Rate: 92%
• Graduation Rate: 84%

Swarthmore College

• Swarthmore, PA

Academic Highlights: Swarthmore offers forty undergraduate programs and runs 600+ courses each academic year. Small, seminar-style courses are the norm—an outstanding 33% of sections enroll fewer than ten students, and 70% contain a maximum of nineteen students. Social science degrees are the most commonly conferred, accounting for 24% of all 2022 graduates. Future businessmen/women, engineers, and techies are also well-positioned, given Swat’s incredibly strong offerings in economics, engineering, and computer science.

Professional Outcomes: 68% of Class of 2022 grads entered the workforce shortly after graduation. Popular industries included education (17%), consulting (16%), and financial services (13%); the median starting salary was $60,000. Google is a leading employer of Swarthmore grads followed by Amazon, Goldman Sachs, IBM, and a number of the top universities.  18% of 2022 grads pursued advanced degrees, with 35% pursuing a PhD, 35% entering master’s programs, 10% heading to law school, and 7% matriculating into medical school.

• Enrollment: 1,625
• Cost of Attendance: $81,376
• Graduation Rate: 94%

Bryn Mawr College

• Bryn Mawr, PA

Academic Highlights: On the home campus, undergraduates can choose from 35 majors and 50 minors. Roughly 35% of the student body earns degrees in the natural sciences or mathematics, a figure four times the national average for women. By volume, the most popular majors are mathematics, psychology, biology, English, and computer science. An 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to small class sizes with 74% of sections having fewer than twenty students, and 24% of sections enrolling nine students or fewer.

Professional Outcomes: One year after receiving their diplomas, 57% of Bryn Mawr graduates had found employment and a robust 28% had already entered graduate school. Most of the organizations employing the greatest number of alumni are universities and hospital systems, although Google, Accenture, JPMorgan Chase, and Vanguard do employ a fair number of Bryn Mawr graduates. Among recent grads pursuing further education, 63% were in master’s programs, 13% were already working on their PhD, and 10% were in medical school.

• Enrollment: 1,409
• Cost of Attendance: $79,880
• Median SAT: 1400
• Acceptance Rate: 31%
• Retention Rate: 90%

Wellesley College

• Wellesley, MA

Academic Highlights: There are 50+ departmental and interdisciplinary majors. Thirty-six percent of course sections have single-digit enrollments while 77% have 19 or fewer students. In addition, opportunities for participation in research with faculty members abound. Most programs possess sterling reputations, including chemistry, computer science, neuroscience, and political science, but the Department of Economics shines most brightly, leading many into PhD programs and high-profile careers. Economics, biology, and computer science are the most frequently conferred degrees.

Professional Outcomes : Six months after graduating, 97% of the Class of 2022 had achieved positive outcomes. Of the 76% of grads who were employed, 24% were working in the finance/consulting/business fields, 17% in education, 17% in internet and technology & engineering, and 15% in healthcare/life sciences. Top employers included JPMorgan Chase, Google, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Goldman Sachs. The average starting salary for one recent cohort was a solid $63k. Of the 20% of 2022 grads who directly entered an advanced degree program, common schools attended included Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Stanford, MIT, and Emory.

• Enrollment: 2,447
• Cost of Attendance: $84,240
• Acceptance Rate: 14%

Colby College

• Waterville, ME

Academic Highlights: Offering 56 majors and 35 minors, Colby provides a classic liberal arts education with a high degree of flexibility and room for independent intellectual pursuits. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio is put to good instructional use as roughly two-thirds of courses have fewer than 19 students. Being a true liberal arts school, Colby has strengths across many disciplines, but biology, economics, and global studies draw especially high praise. These programs along with government and environmental science attract the highest number of students.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 93% of the Class of 2022 had either obtained jobs or were enrolled full-time in a graduate program. Eighteen percent of graduates enter the financial industry and large numbers also start careers in education, with government/nonprofit, STEM, and healthcare next in popularity. The Medical school acceptance rate over the past five years is 68%, nearly double the national average.

• Enrollment: 2,299
• Cost of Attendance: $86,720
• Average SAT: 1485
• Average ACT: 33
• Acceptance Rate: 8%
• Retention Rate: 93%
• Graduation Rate: 87%

University of Michigan

• Ann Arbor, MI

Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon.  Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.

• Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1470
• Acceptance Rate: 18%

Bucknell University

• Lewisburg, PA

Academic Highlights: Over 60 majors and 70 minors are on tap across three undergraduate schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, Freeman College of Management, and the College of Engineering. Getting well-acquainted with your professors is easy with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, and class sizes are reasonably small. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the areas of the social sciences (26%), engineering (14%), business (14%), biology (11%), and psychology (9%).

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after graduation, 94% of the Class of 2022 had launched their careers or entered graduate school. Financial services is the most common sector for Bucknell grads to enter, attracting 24% of alumni. Across all disciplines, the average salary for a Class of 2022 grad was $69,540. Bucknell saw 18% of 2022 grads go directly into an advanced degree program. Bison alumni heading to graduate school predominantly pursue degrees in the medical field, social sciences, business, or engineering.

• Enrollment: 3,747
• Cost of Attendance: $80,890
• Median SAT: 1380
• Median ACT: 32
• Retention Rate: 91%

Haverford College

• Haverford, PA

Academic Highlights: Haverford offers 31 majors, 32 minors, 12 concentrations, and eleven consortium programs—areas of study that can be pursued at partner campuses. The school’s 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and exclusive emphasis on undergraduate education lead to exceptionally intimate classes, 33% of which have fewer than 10 students, and 72% have fewer than 20. The most popular areas of study at Haverford include the social sciences (24%), biology (14%), psychology (11%), physical sciences (10%), computer science (9%), and mathematics (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Six months after leaving Haverford, 63% of the Class of 2022 had found employment, 19% had enrolled in graduate school, and 9% were still job hunting. Employers hiring multiple recent Haverford grads include Epic, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, the National Institutes of Health, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Of the 19% of 2022 grads who elected to continue their education, the most commonly entered fields of study were STEM (51%) and medicine/health (15%).

• Enrollment: 1,421
• Cost of Attendance: $87,180
• Graduation Rate: 91%

Colorado College

• Colorado Springs, CO

Academic Highlights: Rather than the typical semester schedule, Colorado College operates on the “block plan,” a series of eight three-and-half-week periods during which students take only one course. You won’t find a more intimate liberal arts college than CC. Classes have a cap of 25 students, and no more than a handful of courses exceed that figure. The average class consists of 16 students. In terms of sheer volume, most degrees are conferred in the social sciences (28%), biology (17%), natural resources and conservation (8%), and physical science (6%).

Professional Outcomes: Among the Class of 2022, an impressive 99% arrived successfully at their next destination within six months of earning their diploma. The largest number of graduates who pursue employment end up in the fields of education, technology, health care, the arts, and government.  The bachelor’s degree earned at Colorado College is unlikely to be the last degree a graduate will earn. Five years after graduation, the typical cohort sees 70-90% of its members having either completed or finishing an advanced degree.

• Enrollment: 2,180
• Cost of Attendance: $87,128
• Acceptance Rate: 16%
• Graduation Rate: 86%

Brandeis University

• Waltham, MA

Academic Highlights: Brandeis offers 43 majors, the most popular of which are in the social sciences (18%), biology (17%), business (10%), psychology (8%), public administration (8%), and computer science (7%). The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and 60% of courses contain nineteen or fewer students. Departments with a particularly strong national reputation include economics, international studies, and sociology as well as all of the traditional premed pathways including biology, and chemistry.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 98% of the Class of 2022 had found their way to employment (59%), graduate school (35%), or another full-time activity like travel or volunteer work (4%). Members of the Class of 2022 were hired by Red Hat, Deloitte, Nasdaq, NPR, and McKinsey & Company. The average starting salary for recent grads is $61k. A large contingent of grads elects to continue at Brandeis for graduate school. Many others go to BU, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, and Yale.

• Enrollment: 3,687
• Cost of Attendance: $86,242
• Median SAT: 1440
• Acceptance Rate: 39%

Macalester College

• St. Paul, MN

Academic Highlights: Students can choose from roughly 40 majors and over 800 courses that are offered each academic year . Being an undergraduate-only institution, Macalester students enjoy the full benefits of the school’s 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The average class size is only 17 students, and 14% of class sections have single-digit enrollments. Macalester possesses strong offerings across many different disciplines. Programs in economics, international studies, and mathematics are among the best anywhere.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 95% of the Macalester Class of 2022 had found employment, graduate school, or a fellowship. Employers of recent grads include ABC News, Google, Goldman Sachs, Dow Chemical Company, McKinsey & Company, the ACLU, the National Cancer Institute, and National Geographic . Across all sectors, the average starting salary for recent grads was above $62k. Sixty percent of Mac grads pursue an advanced degree within six years of earning their bachelor’s.

• Enrollment: 2,175
• Cost of Attendance: $79,890
• Median SAT: 1430
• Acceptance Rate: 28%
• Retention Rate: 88%

Barnard College

Academic Highlights: Barnard has a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, and a sensational 71% of courses are capped at nineteen or fewer students; 18% have fewer than ten. Many get the chance to engage in research alongside a professor as 240+ undergraduates are granted such an opportunity through the Summer Research Institute each year. Barnard’s most popular majors, by number of degrees conferred, include economics, English, political science, history, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and art history.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 91% of 2022 Barnard grads had found employment or were enrolled in a graduate program. JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Blackrock, Citibank, and Morgan Stanley all appear on the list of the top fifteen employers of Barnard alumni. Within ten years of graduation, over 80% of Barnard alums eventually enroll in graduate school. Those entering graduate school flock in large numbers to Columbia, with 112 heading there over the last three years.

• Enrollment: 3,442
• Cost of Attendance: $90,928
• Acceptance Rate: 9%

Georgetown University

• Washington, D.C.

Academic Highlights: The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and 60% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. While some classes are a bit larger, only 7% cross the 50-student threshold. Those desiring to join the world of politics or diplomacy are in the right place. The Government and International Affairs programs are among the best in the country. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (38%) followed by business (20%), interdisciplinary studies (8%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 75% of members of the Class of 2022 entered the workforce, 19% went directly into a graduate or professional program of study, and 3% were still seeking employment. The Class of 2022 sent massive numbers of graduates to a number of major corporations including JPMorgan Chase (22), Citi (21), BOA (18), Morgan Stanley (16), and EY (10). Those attending grad school stay at Georgetown or flock to other elite schools like Columbia and Harvard.

• Enrollment: 7,900
• Cost of Attendance: $85,000

Elon University

Academic Highlights: Students choose from 70 majors and can add a number of interesting minors like adventure-based learning, coaching, and multimedia authoring. Elon’s 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to an average class size of 20 students; 51% of sections contain fewer than 20 students. The areas in which the greatest number of degrees are conferred are business (29%), journalism/communication (20%), social sciences (8%), the visual and performing arts (6%), and psychology (6%).

Professional Outcomes: Results of a survey administered nine months after graduation found that 96% of the Class of 2022 had found employment, a graduate school, or an internship. Top employers of recent Elon graduates include Bloomberg, Deloitte, EY, Google, Goldman Sachs, Red Ventures, and Wells Fargo. Recent business grads enjoyed a median salary of $61k while communications majors earned $47k. Just under one-quarter of recent grads gained acceptance into graduate/professional school and many remain at Elon.

• Enrollment: 6,337
• Cost of Attendance: $66,657
• Median SAT: 1260
• Median ACT: 28
• Acceptance Rate: 78%

DePauw University

• Greencastle, IN

Academic Highlights: No matter which of the 40+ majors you pursue at DePauw, you will enjoy the benefits of small class sizes and face time with faculty. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the fact that only four class sections in the whole university enroll more than 29 students assures that. The greatest number of DePauw undergrads earn degrees in the social sciences (17%), biology (10%), the visual/performing arts (9%), communication/journalism (8%), and computer science (6%).

Professional Outcomes: The university’s “Gold Commitment” guarantees that all grads will land at their next destination within six months, or they will be provided with an entry-level professional opportunity or an additional tuition-free semester. Top employers of DePauw grads include Eli Lilly and Company, IBM, Northern Trust Corporation, AT&T, and Procter & Gamble. Tigers applying to graduate and professional schools experience high levels of success. Of medical school applicants who earned a 3.6 GPA and scored in the 80th percentile on the MCAT, 90% are accepted to at least one institution.

• Enrollment: 1,752
• Cost of Attendance: $74,400
• Acceptance Rate: 66%
• Graduation Rate: 79%

University of Washington – Seattle

• Seattle, WA

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across thirteen colleges/schools. Personal connections with professors abound as 55% of grads complete a faculty-mentored research project. The College of Engineering, which includes the College of Computer Science & Engineering, is one of the best in the nation; UW also boasts strong programs in everything from business to social work to environmental science. The most popular degrees are the social sciences (13%), biology (12%), computer science (11%), and business (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 73% of Class of 2022 grads were employed and 17% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2022 included Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and KPMG. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, just over half remain in state, mostly at UW itself. Large numbers of 2022 grads also headed to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and USC.

• Enrollment: 36,872 (undergraduate); 16,211 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $34,554 (in-state); $63,906 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1420
• Acceptance Rate: 48%
• Retention Rate: 94%

We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Creative Writing to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:

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A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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Creative Writing and Literature

Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree is designed for industry professionals with years of work experience who wish to complete their degrees part time, both on campus and online, without disruption to their employment. Our typical student is over 30, has previously completed one or two years of college, and works full time.

Students enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts program in Creative Writing & Literature will develop skills in creative writing and literary analysis through literature courses and writing workshops in fiction, screenwriting, poetry, and nonfiction. Through online group courses and one-on-one tutorials, as well as a week on campus, students hone their craft and find their voice.

2024 Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools

Choosing a great creative writing school for your bachelor's degree, quality overall is important, other factors we consider, one size does not fit all, best schools for bachelor’s students to study creative writing in the united states, 16 top schools for a bachelor's in creative writing, additional noteworthy schools.

Creative Writing by Region

Other Rankings

Best associate degrees in creative writing, best doctorate degrees in creative writing, best master's degrees in creative writing, best overall in creative writing, creative writing related rankings by major, most popular related majors.

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Creative Writing courses

Whether you’re looking to develop your own writing skills and editorial practice for your profession or for purely personal interest, our creative writing courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications.

Creative Writing Degrees  Degrees Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree. Internationally respected, universally understood. An essential requirement for many high-level jobs. Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts. Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

How long will it take?

Creative Writing Diplomas  Diplomas Widely recognised qualification. Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree. Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Study for interest or career development. Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.

Creative writing certificates  certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study creative writing with the open university.

Since 2003, over 50,000 students have completed one of our critically acclaimed creative writing modules. 

The benefits of studying creative writing with us are:

• Develops your writing skills in several genres including fiction, poetry, life writing and scriptwriting.
• Introduces you to the world of publishing and the requirements of professionally presenting manuscripts.
• Online tutor-group forums enable you to be part of an interactive writing community.
• Module workbooks are widely praised and used by other universities and have attracted worldwide sales.

Careers in Creative Writing

Studying creative writing will equip you with an adaptable set of skills that can give entry to a vast range of occupations. You’ll learn to evaluate and assimilate information in constructing an argument as well as acquiring the skills of creative and critical thinking that are much in demand in the workplace.

Our range of courses in creative writing can help you start or progress your career in:

• Arts, creative industries, culture and heritage
• Advertising, marketing, communications and public relations
• Journalism and publishing
• Public administration, civil service and local government

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Creative Writing modules

All Creative Writing courses

Browse all the Creative Writing courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Creative Writing courses

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Programs for creative writing can be found in schools all across the country. For international students, it can be hard to even begin to narrow down their options. This article will examine some of the best places in the U.S. to study creative writing, considering the quality of writing programs in the area and the career prospects for after education.

The quality of creative writing programs doesn't depend on geographical location—the top creative writing schools aren't necessarily dependent on high-tech technology, dense population, or anything else typical of a big city. So for international students, deciding where to study creative writing in the U.S. can be a daunting task. Thankfully, even if top creative writing schools can be found anywhere, there are certain areas of the country that stand out for prospective creative writing students due to both their high number of quality programs and the heavy concentration of career opportunities in the area. Read on to find out where to study creative writing!

New York City

As the biggest city in the country, New York City may seem like a no brainer as a great place to study creative writing. Within the boundaries of the Big Apple lie some top creative writing schools, such as New York University and Columbia University . Both schools offer fine creative writing programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Additionally, the city's energy and picturesque parks and landmarks have made it a source of inspiration for many writers.

Creative Writing Programs

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Featured Schools with Creative Writing Programs

When it comes to the options for international students post-college, New York is far and away one of the best options for anyone trying to break into the published types of creative writing— magazines, novels, etc. New York City is home to a huge number of publishing houses and magazines, from the most massive on down to the independently run. And while you certainly don't have to be near a publisher to submit your work and try to catch your big break, the networking opportunities afforded by the proximity to publishers in New York City can only help you.

Los Angeles

Like New York, Los Angeles is a hotbed of creative writing schools and work opportunities, but in a different kind of creative writing. As many international students will know, Los Angeles is the center of the United States' (and arguably the world's) film and television industry, meaning that almost anyone looking to get into screenwriting for film or television will want to end up there eventually. Elite film schools like the University of Southern California , University of California — Los Angeles , and American Film Institute all call Los Angeles home and offer prestigious coursework in screenwriting. The area even has top creative writing schools for more traditional creative writing aficionados, with schools like UC Riverside and UC Irvine presenting great options for fiction writing and more.

As mentioned above, Los Angeles will be the most likely destination for many an aspiring screenwriter after college, thanks to its place at the heart of the film and television business. In screenwriting more than in authoring novels or poetry, it is highly recommended to put yourself at the center of the action. Merely submitting your material from long distance will rarely work; success in screenwriting requires some rigorous face-to-face networking, meetings, and pitching.

Other Locations

New York and Los Angeles stand out as creative writing cities thanks to their dominance in publishing and film (respectively), both in school and work opportunities. However, make sure to stay open to creative writing schools elsewhere; after all, you can always move to one of these cities after graduation if necessary. There are great schools in some beautifully scenic areas that can inspire creativity: Colorado College up in the mountains, and the University of Iowa in the sprawling Midwest. When deciding where to study creative writing, think about the type of place you'd like to live, if there is an area within creative writing you want to pursue, and get ready to have a great creative writing education!

Learn more about studying creative writing in the USA by reading our growing article collection.

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Master of Arts in Creative Writing

The Master of Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year program with a focus on developing a writing practice as well as preparing students to teach creative writing. The Master of Fine Arts is a three-year program and is considered the terminal degree in creative writing. The program may benefit in particular teachers who want to increase their range and earning potential with a Master's degree and/or individuals who want to teach creative writing at private schools, community venues, labs, and salons. As part of the MA in CW, students can choose to study the teaching of composition, and receive a certificate, a skill that translates into any level of teaching and various subjects that include writing.

The M.A. degree, like the M.F.A., provides students with the inspiration and guidance of a faculty of professional writers in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer. The curriculum emphasizes the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry. The degree combines an intense workshop requirement and a variety of special topic creative process classes as well as courses that expose students to a wide range of writers and community service learning opportunities. The creative writing courses reflect our commitment to a variety of styles, subjects, and approaches, recognizing the complexity and breadth of contemporary writing. Graduates of the M.A. Program are instructed in literary analysis and develop their craft to constructively critique their own work and that of others. As a culminating experience, the student submits a thesis of creative work in their chosen genre.

n addition to the workshop and process courses, students in the M.A. in Creative Writing elect one of two teaching pathways. The pathway leading to an emphasis in teaching creative writing includes a rigorous course in the pedagogy and philosophy of teaching creative writing ( C W 860 ); a Teaching Practicum Course ( C W 859 ), in which the student gains in-class undergraduate teaching experience as a Graduate Instructional Aide while continuing their study of pedagogy with a seasoned faculty member and a group of peers; and, Projects in Teaching Creative Writing ( C W 785 ), a course that allows students to deepen their teaching experience as a Graduate Instructional Aide under faculty supervision. This teaching curriculum makes our M.A. unique within the nation of creative writing graduate degrees. The pathway leading to the teaching of composition allows students to earn the English Composition Certificate, offered by the English Department, by electing to take four courses (12 units) in English composition. Students on this path would earn an M.A. in Creative Writing along with the English Composition Certificate.

This course of study would lead students to a Masters of Arts degree in creative writing. The combination of workshop and process courses ensures that students would be prepared should they wish to continue on as an M.F.A. candidate in a creative writing program.

All students in the M.A. Creative Writing degree program would be eligible to apply for a Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) position in their second year of study. A GTA is hired to teach a 101/301 Fundamentals of Creative Writing course. The GTA must be enrolled in at least one unit of study with the university to be eligible. Students in the M.A. also may apply for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (54 units) either to switch to the terminal degree program or to complete both degrees, with a separate thesis for each. In no case will a student be admitted to both programs simultaneously.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Creative Work:  Students will produce a publishable written creative work that demonstrates individual and universal vision and a high level of craft skills.
• Professional Preparation: Students will demonstrate professional level skills in fields related to literature and/or creative writing, including publishing, writing, teaching, editing, book arts, and/or arts management.
• Literature: Students will read, discuss, analyze and learn to teach the work of a broad range of writers from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, as well as explain how literature in general, and their own genre in particular, relates to larger human experience.
• Craft Elements: Students will write and revise creative nonfiction, fiction, plays, and/or poetry using the elements of craft as well as analyze and discuss craft elements in their peers’ creative work.

Admission to the Program

Students interested in this program must submit, via Cal State Apply , a meaningful sample of their writing (15 to 20 pages of creative nonfiction or fiction, or 15 to 20 pages of literary translation, or a full-length stage play or two short plays, or 15 to 20 poems), two letters of recommendation, and transcripts. by February 15 for consideration for our entry scholarships, or by May 10th for admission to the following fall semester. Applicants from graduate creative writing programs at other colleges or universities may transfer six units to the M.A. program, on review and recommendation of the Creative Writing Admissions Committee and approval of the Division of Graduate Studies. For further clarification, contact the Creative Writing Department. Students accepted into the program with an undergraduate major that is not English are accepted conditionally. Admission to the M.A. does not imply admission to the M.F.A. Students who wish to earn both degrees must finish the M.A. before beginning the M.F.A. degree.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level one (pre-admission).

Statement of purpose (500–1500 words) and writing sample (15 to 20 pages of creative nonfiction or fiction, or 15 to 20 pages of literary translation, or a full-length stage play or two short plays, or 15 to 20 poems) scored 8.0 or higher on a scale of one to ten based on the following criteria:

• fluency and precision of expression;
• ability to embody and illustrate ideas creatively; and
• appropriateness of the applicant’s interests, life experiences and goals to the program.

Satisfactory completion of C W 893MA on the following criteria: thesis deemed by two faculty readers to be publishable in part or whole (book, chapbook and/or literary journals).

Selected upper-division courses offered by the department may be used for the master's degree upon approval of a departmental advisor. Enrollment is not required in the semester of graduation.

Creative Writing (M.A.) — Minimum 30 units

Writing courses (3-6 units).

Select from:

Special Topic Creative Process (3-6 units)

Process (3-6 units)

Guided Electives (9-12 units)

Select from the list below for the teaching pathway or the courses listed above if they have not already been used to fulfill a requirement or from graduate-level courses within the Creative Writing Department or courses across the university at the 300-level-or-above under advisement:

Culminating Experience (3 units)

 May be taken for two semesters of credit.

Creative Writing

The Program in Creative Writing takes a comprehensive approach to the study of contemporary literature, criticism, and theory from a writer’s perspective, and provides rigorous training in the fundamental practices of creative writing. In our courses, students work with established poets and prose writers towards these pursuits, and both the major and minor in Creative Writing provide ample opportunities for interdisciplinary work across University departments. The program’s commitment to interdisciplinary work and academic rigor, coupled with an emphasis on teaching the elements of creative writing that underlie all genres, accounts for the program's vitality and explains why Creative Writing at Chicago is currently the largest initiative in the humanities for the College. The Program in Creative Writing offers workshops and seminars in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as an increasing number of translation workshops.

Students who graduate with the bachelor of arts in Creative Writing will both be skilled in writing in a major literary genre and have a theoretically informed understanding of the aesthetic, historical, social, and political context of a range of contemporary writing. Students who are not English Language and Literature or Creative Writing majors may complete a minor in English and Creative Writing.

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• Creative Writing Home Page

Study Creative Writing Abroad

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Creative Writing Study Abroad Programs

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Rome, Italy

IES Abroad Dublin

CIEE College Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Galway, Ireland

AIFS Abroad in Wellington, New Zealand: Semester

CIEE College Study Abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Semester at Sea: Study Around the World

CIEE College Study Abroad in Berlin, Germany

CIEE College Study Abroad in Rabat, Morocco

CIEE College Study Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic

CIEE College Study Abroad in Cape Town, South Africa

AIFS Abroad in Seville, Spain: Semester

Should you study creative writing overseas? The answer is yes! As a student of a discipline that embraces storytelling and unique points of view, a semester or more in a foreign country will be invaluable to your growth as a creative.

Studying overseas, you’ll encounter cultural differences alongside new ideas in the classroom -- and you’ll learn how to weave each learned experience into your own lifestyle and writings. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is an excellent way to challenge your preconceptions about the world and find your voice as a writer.

At the end of the day, creative writing is about telling compelling stories. There is certainly no better way to garner a few of your own classic tales than by traveling overseas.

Program Types

From classroom learning to immersion experiences, the types of overseas programs to pursue are abundant. Creative writing students will thrive in the following programs.

Discussion-Based Classes

Discussion-based classes are wonderful for analyzing literature, hashing out your creative ideas, and receiving valuable feedback on your writing. In a workshop-style class, you and your peers will bring unique backgrounds to the table, helping everyone gain a fresh perspective on what makes a good story.

Real-World Immersion

If you’ve been wanting to include different cultures in your writings or try penning a tale in a foreign language, real-world immersion courses are a terrific start. These programs often include language classes and host family accommodation, which will help you become more knowledgeable of local customs.

Research Thesis

Heading overseas is an exciting way to finish up your senior thesis. For creative writing students, you’ll likely need to hand in a writing portfolio that’s focused on a specific genre, like fiction or poetry. Studying under the guidance of accomplished foreign authors is a smart way to fine-tune your final piece.

Where to Go

With creative writing programs available around the globe, choosing a host country might cause some out of control pros and cons lists. The below regions are popular for students of the written word.

In Europe, creative writing programs run tandem with literature courses in an abundance of locations. Naturally, Shakespeare’s roots in the United Kingdom invite playwrights and poets. Meanwhile, students of general creative writing disciplines will also find enticing courses in countries like Italy , Spain , and France , some of which might challenge you to write in another language.

Universities in South Africa and Ghana welcome creative writing students to take their studies overseas. In literature-heavy courses, you’ll polish your reading repertoire before tackling your own creative projects, allowing you to learn and apply techniques from masters of the craft. Explore programs through organizations like Arcadia University and NYU .

Universities in Australia and New Zealand host creative writing students for a semester or more overseas. With an UNESCO World Heritage City of Literature like Melbourne or Dunedin as the backdrop to your studies, you won’t struggle to find the motivation to wield your own pen. IES Abroad and CIS Abroad run programs here and in the next region on this list.

Another top spot for overseas creative writing programs is Asia. Courses in Thailand and Japan will have you studying the work of acclaimed local authors while completing creative writing assignments. Plus, as your overseas adventure takes you beyond the borders of your host country, you’ll find plenty more tales to tell through your travels.

Planning Your Trip

Like any huge life decision, studying overseas requires a few pre-trip steps to ensure that you have the best possible experience.

How to Choose a Creative Writing Study Abroad Program

Selecting an overseas creative writing program can be an enjoyable portion of trip preparation, but it’s one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. As an imaginative person, your initial thoughts will probably center around atmosphere -- after all, working on assignments in a Parisian café sounds pretty quintessential study abroad creative writing student.

However, traveling outside of your comfort zone could be exactly what you need to evaluate your creative abilities from a new point of view. Course material is also extremely important -- some programs may lean more towards fiction while others cater to aspiring poets. Keep your professional goals in mind when planning, and don’t shy away from a challenge.

Health & Safety

While creative writing tends to be a safe field of study, your host country may carry its own unique risks. Make sure you’re at least up to date on your regular immunizations before you leave, and check in with your doctor about additional ones according to your destination.

While threats to personal safety will also vary by place, walking with a group of friends, carrying valuables in a neck pouch, and looking both ways before you cross the street are rules that can be applied almost everywhere. If you’re really worried, you can always purchase a travel insurance plan to cover the loss of possessions or medical emergencies.

Other Need to Know

Studying creative writing overseas will expand the opportunities for your future in so many ways. You’ll learn indispensable lessons from your professors, fellow students, and the experience of living abroad. Be open to applying new ideas to both your writing and your way of life. Flexibility is the key to success during a semester abroad.

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ONLINE CREATIVE WRITING

The flexibility of the online format makes it easy to take Continuing Studies Creative Writing courses taught by instructors from Stanford's writing community. These courses are designed to fit into your schedule. You can log into our classes from any computer with Internet access, anywhere and at any time.   Our online creative writing courses are presented in a clear, straightforward format and contain the elements you look for in a live class, including writing lessons and exercises, as well as feedback from an experienced instructor and fellow students.   Courses are open to all adults, and we encourage all levels of writers to enroll. Whether you are just starting to write, or finishing up your novel, you will find a course suited to your level of experience. Students will benefit from sharing their work with an eclectic community of writers—writers from many locations, with diverse backgrounds and writing styles.   We keep class sizes small to ensure you get the individual attention you need. With limited spots available, classes fill quickly. So we encourage you to register today.   To learn more about our online Creative Writing courses,  read the FAQs  and  view student testimonials .

Stanford Creative Writing Program

The Stanford Creative Writing Program , founded in 1946 by Wallace Stegner, has become one

of the nation’s most distinguished creative writing institutions. After almost 80 years, the

program continues to evolve while also respecting its original vision of recruiting and supporting

talented writers, offering exceptional creative writing instruction and mentorship, and inspiring

undergraduates to develop their own unique creative written expression.

In the 1940s, E. H. Jones generously created the Wallace Stegner Fellowship, now considered

the most prestigious creative writing fellowship in the U.S. for emerging writers. Dr. Jones also

made possible the Jones Lectureships, which are limited, fixed-year teaching appointments,

allowing exceptional Stegner Fellows some time and support to prepare a manuscript for

publication, hone their teaching skills, and transition to a longer-term teaching career elsewhere.

The original framework of term-limited appointments allowed for a consistent flow of selected

Stegner Fellows into the Jones Lectureship. However, over time this framework of term-limited

appointments was not followed.

In the past two years, the School of Humanities and Sciences leadership and the Creative

Writing Academic Council faculty have been working to formulate necessary changes in the

program and to identify additional resources to meet its growing needs. A Working Group of

Creative Writing Academic Council faculty held listening sessions and discussions.

Now, after thoughtful deliberation, the Working Group has recommended restoring the original

intent of the Jones Lectureships: one-year appointments with the possibility of renewal for a

limited term. This change will again allow Stegner Fellows the opportunity to apply to be Jones

Lecturers once they have completed their fellowships.

The university, school, and numerous generous donors are committed to not only the excellence

of the program but also its growth. This means increasing the number of Creative Writing

classes to better meet high student demand as well as ensuring competitive compensation for

both the lecturers and fellows. We will provide more updates in early fall quarter.

We understand that these changes to the Jones Lectureships will be met with mixed reactions.

However, we firmly believe that the changes advance the program’s pedagogical mission and

provide promising writers with the resources to complete their books and obtain appointments at

other colleges and universities.

Throughout the history of the program, the Jones Lecturers—both those who are here now and

those who have been lecturers in the past—have helped make Stanford Creative Writing what it

is today, and we are truly grateful to them for their significant contributions to the program’s

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The NYU Creative Writing Program

is among the most distinguished programs in the country and is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature.

Graduate Program

The graduate Creative Writing Program at NYU consists of a community of writers working together in a setting that is both challenging and supportive.

Low Residency MFA Workshop in Paris

The low-residency MFA Writers Workshop offers students the opportunity to develop their craft in one of the world's most inspiring literary capitals.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program offers workshops, readings, internships, writing prizes, and events designed to cultivate and inspire.

Spring 2022 Reading Series

The lively public Reading Series hosts a wide array of writers, translators, and editors, and connects our program to the local community.

Creative Writing Program

Low-residency mfa writers workshop in paris, undergraduate, washington square review, literary journal, a sample residency calendar, write in paris, scholarships and grant opportunities, program of study, dates and deadlines, creative writing, recent highlights from the mfa community.

• Alum Bruna Dantas Lobato   won the 2023 National Book Award in translation

• Faculty member Sharon Olds received the Joan Margarit International Poetry Prize from King Felipe VI in July 2023

• Alumni  Tess Gunty  and  John Keene   each won a 2022 National Book Award in fiction and poetry , respectively

• Books by faculty members  Sharon  Olds  and  Meghan O'Rourke;  and alums  Tess Gunty, John Keene ,  and  Jenny Xie  were named finalists for the 2022 National Book Awards; books by alum  Rio Cortez and faculty member Leigh Newman were also longlisted

• Alum  Ada Limón   has been named the nation's 24th Poet Laureate  by the Library of Congress

• Alum  Amanda Larson 's debut poetry collection  GUT  was selected by Mark Bibbins as the winner of the Poetry Society of America Norma Farber Book Award

• Alum  Sasha Burshteyn  was named a 2022 winner of the 92Y Discovery Prize. Alums Jenna Lanzaro and JinJin Xu were also named semi-finalists for the prize.

• Alum Clare Sestanovich was selected as a  2022 5 under 35 Honoree  by the National Book Foundation

• Alum  Maaza Mengiste  was awarded a  2022 Guggenheim Fellowship

• Visiting graduate faculty member  Brandon Taylor 's collection  Filthy Animals  was named a 2021/22  finalist for The Story Prize  and was shortlisted for the  2022 Dylan Thomas Prize

• Alum  Raven Leilani  won the 2021 Clark Fiction Prize, Dylan Thomas prize, the 2020 Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize for her debut novel  Luster,  and was named a finalist for the 2021 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, the Gotham Book Prize, the 2021 PEN/Hemmingway Award for Debut Novel, the 2021 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award

• Alum Desiree C. Bailey 's debut poetry collection  What Noise Against the Cane  was longlisted for the 2022 Dylan Thomas Prize and was also named a finalist for the 2021 National Book Award in Poetry and the 2022 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and was published as the winner of the 2020 Yale Series of Younger Poets

• Senior faculty member  Sharon Olds  was named the 2022 recipient of the Poetry Society of America's Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry

You can read more MFA Community news here and find a list of forthcoming and recently published books by alumni here .   NYU CWP alumni include  Aria Aber, Amir Ahmadi Arian, Julie Buntin, Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Isabella Hammad, Ishion Hutchinson, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Maaza Mengiste, John Murillo, Gregory Pardlo, Morgan Parker, Nicole Sealey, Solmaz Sharif, Peng Shepherd, Ocean Vuong, Jenny Xie,  and  Javier Zamora. 

Announcements

Ocean Vuong joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Mary Gabriel, Author of “Ninth Street Women”, Receives the NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize

Claudia Rankine joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Classic podcasts from the lillian vernon reading series.

Anne Carson

Zadie Smith and Jeffrey Eugenides

Terrance Hayes

Where to find us.

Faculty Spotlight

Katie Kitamura’s most recent novel Intimacies was longlisted for the National Book Award and named a Best Book of 2021 by numerous publications.

Darin Strauss is the author of several acclaimed novels, including the most recent The Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story.

Hari Kunzru is the author of six novels, including the most recent Red Pill, and White Tears, a finalist for the PEN Jean Stein Award.

Ocean Vuong is the author of the bestselling novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and the poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds.

Sharon Olds is a previous director of the Creative Writing Program. Her 2012 collection Stags Leap was awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize and a Pulitzer.

Claudia Rankine is a recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, and the author of six collections including Citizen and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.

Foer was listed in Rolling Stone's "People of the Year," Esquire's "Best and Brightest," and The New Yorker's "20 Under 40" list.

Terrance Hayes’s most recent publications include American Sonnets for My Past And Future Assassin and To Float In The Space Between.

Jeffrey Eugenides is the author of acclaimed novels The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex, and The Marriage Plot. His latest collection is Fresh Complaint. 

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5 Best Countries to Study Creative Writing Abroad

Ever wonder why some people are so invested in reading that it is as if they are in their world? Or when movie buffs watch their favorite movie several times? Or for people who easily get carried away when they are watching plays? Well, we all know the backbone for everything that makes a movie, book, or play stick to people’s minds is because it is well written, and most probably, it is written by a creative writer, nonetheless.

There are many types of creative writing: screenwriting, novels, fiction, poetry, short stories, playwriting, and more. This article will not divulge all aspects of creative writing; rather, this is intended for international students who wish to seek a creative writing degree abroad. We have listed a couple of countries that offer exceptional study programs in Creative Writing. Have a look and check which country best suits you!

Top Countries to Study Creative Writing

• Best School/s: University College Cork |  Maynooth University |  Trinity College Dublin
• Reasons: Friendly and welcoming country for international students, availability of scholarships, post-study work visa

Ireland is a top country to study creative writing as it is a very welcoming country, especially for international students. Many Irish universities comprise a large percentage of students worldwide on their campus. One compelling reason students opt to study in the country is that universities offer scholarships . Students can avail of scholarships depending on the institution and study programs. Scholarships include the Walsh Fellowship, Trinity College Scholarships, Government Ireland Scholarships, and much more.

Another reason attracting students to complete a degree in Ireland is that the country offers post-study work visas to international graduates under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This allows graduates to stay in Ireland for around 24 months to look for full-time work, which will lead to acquiring a work permit as soon as employed.

Irish universities are one of the best in the world. Graduates of creative writing in the following institutions have gone through successful career paths. Universities to consider are the University College Cork , Maynooth University , Trinity College Dublin , University College Dublin , and the National University of Ireland .

Learn About: How to Study in Ireland for Free

2. United Kingdom

• Best School/s: University of Oxford |  University of St. Andrews |  University of Birmingham
• Reasons: Home of world-class writers, novelists, and playwrights; countless work opportunities

The top country to study creative writing is indeed the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly, the country is the home of generating world-class writers, novelists, journalists, playwrights, and renowned professionals. This gives students a certainty that obtaining a writing degree in the UK would be more advantageous because graduates are highly employable as employers prefer graduates in the country over other universities abroad.

Institutions prioritize producing students to become highly skilled individuals and flourish in their career path of choice. Moreover, the best thing to have probably happened to international students is that they will experience living and studying in the same country where these renowned writers have obtained their education.

The UK also provides countless work opportunities for graduates of the field. The industry is in constant search of creative writers and professionals. They can very fit well in almost all industry that requires writers. They may even have a successful career as novelists, playwrights, and the list goes on.

Numerous universities are providing English and Creative Writing degree programs in the country; however, the following institutions offer the best and most structured study programs: the University of Oxford , the University of St. Andrews , University of Birmingham , and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.

• Best School/s: Berlin University of the Arts | University of Hildesheim
• Reasons: Outstanding education, specialized study programs in creative writing, practice-based learning

Germany is another excellent country to consider when studying creative writing as it has also been considered the home of many internationally acclaimed classic and contemporary writers. German higher education undoubtedly only provides excellent research and innovative study programs. Moving on, studying Creative Writing in the country, in general, can be extensive, and different industries require writers that acquire specific skills and talent. German universities offer a variety of well-structured specialized programs such as a degree program in screenwriting, creative writing in plays, songwriting, and more specializations. When pursuing a writing degree in Germany, international students must already consider what they aspire to be, having definite goals to be exact. They should have decided what specific career they would like to become as study programs in the country are designed explicitly for particular students’ needs.

German higher education incorporates a practice-based learning approach. This will help students gain skills and sharpen their critical thinking. An excellent opportunity for students to engage, experience, and develop professional competencies. Top-rated universities that offer specialized programs and use the practice-based learning approach are the Berlin University of the Arts and the University of Hildesheim.

4. Hong Kong

• Best School/s: University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong Baptist University | Hong Kong Metropolitan University
• Reasons: Highly-ranked universities in Asia and globally, embraces the influence of Eastern and Western cultures, institutions generating multilingual writers

Hongkong may not be technically considered a country. Yet, this special administrative region in China is worth noting to be included in the list for creative writing programs. This city in Asia excels in generating contemporary writers and professionals. The universities situated in this city are highly positioned in Asia and global university rankings.

This multicultural city actively promotes quality education, and institutions invite international students to be part of their campuses. One fundamental learning approach incorporated in their curriculum is that every student will undergo intensive training and workshops to develop core competencies and skills, resulting in becoming multilingual writers upon completion of the programs. This gives an assurance that all graduates will be equipped with the desired skills and abilities that will help them quickly secure jobs in the competitive writing field.

Any university in Hongkong is likely a reputable one; however, when seeking a degree in creative writing, these regionally and globally acclaimed institutions provide the best among other universities: The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong Baptist University, and the Hong Kong Metropolitan University.

Check Also: The Cheapest Universities in Hong Kong

• Best School/s: Universidad Complutense de Madrid | Escuela de Escritores
• Reasons: Learning the Spanish language, diverse environment, affordable cost of living

International students studying in this part of Europe have grown substantially over the years. Spain is one of the best countries to consider when planning to take up a creative writing program as it has gained much-needed attention from degree-seeking students and professionals seeking postgraduate studies. While there are many fields of study for which Spain is known, study programs in Creative Writing are just as exemplary. Moreover, since critical thinking is an essential skill that needs to be developed, students will be more than captivated by the country’s diverse environment. Such sceneries will help students to think out of the box and be more open-minded. Their experiences living in the country will encourage them to think more freely.

It would also not hurt to learn a new language while living in Spain, Spanish is a widely spoken language, and it is pretty much easy to understand than other languages. Acquiring a new language during your stay will let you engage with the locals quickly and eventually make new acquaintances and maybe broaden your network connections.

While many top universities offer Creative Writing study programs in the country, Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Escuela de Escritores are just two institutions worth checking.

FAQs: Studying Creative Writing Abroad

Is creative writing a good choice for a career.

Absolutely! Creative Writing is still a good career choice for students who have a passion for making writings and selling their pieces. From this as a career, you can still have the opportunity of making a living from your work while still nurturing your skill and talent in creative writing. We have highlighted a list of countries that have institutions that will allow you to study further how to do more in creative writing. You can also check out our list of open scholarships on our website, which will help you in choosing a specific scholarship if you’re in need of financial help to enroll in your chosen university!

We hope that this article on the Best Countries to Study Creative Writing Abroad was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to know more about topics like this!

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Begin your future at Lenoir-Rhyne – apply today. Our online application and admission process is easy to complete and our knowledgeable staff are here to help – every step of the way.   Discover the history of our campus, visit our classrooms and student housing, stop by the University Bookstore, and imagine yourself as an LR Bear. Schedule a visit today and see for yourself all that LRU has to offer. Learn more about our students and see them in action. Each student at LRU has a unique story to tell. What will your story be? Discover the history of our campus, visit our classrooms and student housing, stop by the University Bookstore, and imagine yourself as an LR Bear. Schedule a visit today and see for yourself all that LRU has to offer. Begin your future at Lenoir-Rhyne – apply today. Our online application and admission process is easy to complete and our knowledgeable staff are here to help – every step of the way.   Discover the history of our campus, visit our classrooms and student housing, stop by the University Bookstore, and imagine yourself as an LR Bear. Schedule a visit today and see for yourself all that LRU has to offer. Get the latest news, check out schedules, follow your favorite team on social media, and more on the Athletics website. The Bears Club is the official fundraising arm of Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics. Founded in 1946, the Bears Club coordinates the annual athletic fundraising, capital and endowment gifts for Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics. The purpose of the Bears Club is to support athletic scholarships and program costs for Lenoir-Rhyne’s 22 men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic teams. Begin your future at Lenoir-Rhyne – apply today. Our online application and admission process is easy to complete and our knowledgeable staff are here to help – every step of the way. Discover the history of our campus, visit our classrooms and student housing, stop by the University Bookstore, and imagine yourself as an LR Bear. Schedule a visit today and see for yourself all that LRU has to offer. --> -->
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	Aug 23, 2024   Graduate Catalog 2024-2025     Graduate Catalog 2024-2025 | OFFERED IN ASHEVILLE The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, offered by the Thomas Wolfe Center for Narrative at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Asheville, is designed to help students with a passion for writing hone their skills and develop their vision. Students can specialize in fiction, poetry or creative nonfiction. Students may also select classes from the Narrative Healthcare Certificate Program, also offered by the center. Program Overview The MFA in creative writing combines literary study and writing workshops to help students develop their skills as critical readers, hone their craft as writers and expand their abilities to improve their own and others’ work.  At the heart of the program are small, supportive, intensive writing workshop experiences facilitated by experienced writers and teachers.  Classes are offered through online, synchronous sessions, allowing students to join the program in Asheville or from elsewhere. All faculty in the program are appropriately credentialed. In addition to established writers, a variety of community professionals employed in various relevant settings will provide instruction and guidance. Program Structure This program is flexible enough to fit the schedule of anyone, whether entering directly from an undergraduate program, in mid-career or considering a career change. Courses are held in the evenings for the convenience of working students. The length of time to complete this program varies based on class load and the scheduling of classes. The program can be completed on average in three years or can be taken at a pace conducive to the student’s schedule. Program Admission Requirements Visit Graduate Admission for the most current Program Admission Requirements . Literary Study: (18 hours) ENG 505 - Literary Studies Seminar 3 Credits. (repeated six times with different subtitles.) Writing Workshops (21 hours) Choose one of the following writing content focus areas - to be repeated 3 times for a total of 9 hours: WRI 520 - Workshop in Writing Fiction 3 Credits. WRI 521 - Workshop in Writing Creative Nonfiction 3 Credits. WRI 522 - Workshop in Writing Poetry 3 Credits. Writing Workshop - Outside area (one of the above, not the focus area) 3 credits. Writing Workshop -  WRI 583    - Special Topic in an area related focus 3 credits. Writing Workshops - two additional workshops, in any of the areas above 6 credits. Theses Workshops (6 hours) WRI 560 - Creative Theses 3 Credits. (to be taken twice for a total of six hours.) Total Credit Hours: 45 *Each student will take three workshops ( WRI 520   ,  WRI 521   , or  WRI 522    ) in their area of concentration, one special topics workshop in a related area, one workshop in an area outside his or her concentration, and two additional workshops from the above offerings.  MFA students with an interest in Narrative Healthcare may take  WRI 545   ,  WRI 546   , and  WRI 547     in place of the “outside” and “additional” workshops. See all results Master of Creative Writing and Master of Media and Communications CRICOS CODE: 099514M Ask a question If you’d like to know more about studying at Macquarie University, we’d love to hear from you. Submit an enquiry We’ll find the answer and email you back. Call one of our course specialists Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm AEDT View our campus Check our calendar for up-to-date times. Find out more Build a double degree Explore your options and complete 2 degrees in less time. Visit degree builder Find a course Discover what courses Macquarie has to offer. Find your course How double degrees work Find out all you need to know about doubles at Macquarie. Pathway programs Compare your options when it comes to our pathway programs. Compare pathways MA Creative Writing Poetry Key Details Course Overview You’ve been writing poetry for so long that it’s become a vital part of your life. You may have tried one-off workshops or short courses but find that they are no longer enough. So now is the time to take it further!  This MA is your chance to immerse yourself in writing and reading, and discover more about your imaginative, artistic and intellectual capabilities as a poet. You’ll work intensively on your writing practice with expert guidance and support. And you’ll be part of a group that’s of a consistently high standard, which offers (and expects in return) rigorous feedback and discussion.  An academic context allows you to develop yourself through learning more about poetry across time and place, about form and technique, concept and theory, cause and effect. It’s a chance to read the kinds of poetry you’ve never come across before, and to discover the potential of poetry beyond the forms and approaches you already know.  In our MA Creative Writing (Poetry), we aim to support you in writing poetry of a publishable standard, and to create an encouraging but rigorous environment. You’ll join UEA’s renowned creative writing community in Norwich, a beautiful and historic city and England’s first UNESCO City of Literature.  During the one-year (or two-year part-time) course of intensive reading, writing, exploration and risk-taking, you’ll develop a body of work close in length to a first collection. Through your two Poetry Workshops, you’ll be encouraged to test, extend and refine your poetic technique – an experience that is often exciting and sometimes uncomfortable, but always rewarding. With this in mind, we also give you the chance to learn more about publishing procedures and opportunities, readings, literary awards and more. In the Describing Poetry module that accompanies the first Poetry Workshop, you will be introduced to some of the key thinking about poetry throughout literary history, and encouraged to explore creative-critical approaches to your work. You’ll also choose an optional module from a wide range of creative and critical modules across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. You’ll benefit from the ways in which the study of poetry enhances analytical, conceptual and verbal skills, as well as refine your powers of precision, argument and logic.  Within UEA’s world-famous writing community, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some of the UK’s leading poets and poetry editors, and to benefit from their insight and expertise. Our annual anthology is professionally published and distributed to a key list of poetry houses and other contacts.  UEA also hosts an annual Poetry Festival, part of which is an event showcasing the MA poets’ work. You’ll have the opportunity to attend a masterclass and to discuss your writing one-to-one with the Poetry Festival Fellow. UEA is also part of a thriving network of regional poetry activity, which offers plenty of opportunities to gain performance experience and to get involved in publication.  Study and Modules The core element of the MA is the weekly three-hour workshop in a group of around 12 students. The workshop structure varies but generally consists of close discussion of the work of two or three students plus a session on some aspect of poetry. Work is circulated a week in advance and annotated in detail before being returned to its author. The tutor may also circulate texts for discussion. You’ll get the chance to attend a follow-up tutorial with your workshop’s tutor each time your work is discussed in these workshops.  In addition to the weekly workshop, in the first semester you will take a creative-critical module which will develop your thinking about poetic language, and in the second semester you will choose from a number of optional modules. You’ll have regular individual tutorials and extensive written feedback on your coursework.  There is no workshop in the summer semester (May to June), during which time you’ll have one-to-one sessions with your dissertation tutor. In preparation for the dissertation, you will attend a specialised Creative Writing Research Methodology Conference in May, with the entire MA Creative Writing cohort. This day includes plenary sessions, panels and small-group breakout sessions.  In July and August, you’ll work independently, although you may, with your peers, continue the workshop in some form. Over this period, you’ll write your dissertation, which will be a body of poetry and a critical commentary on it.  Compulsory Modules Creative writing workshop: poetry 1, creative writing research methodology conference, describing poetry, creative writing (poetry) dissertation, creative writing workshop: poetry 2, optional a modules, process and product in translation, digital storytelling, contemporary fiction, ludic literature, japanese literature, the non fiction novel, the poetics of place, creative encounters, critically queer: sex, gender and sexuality, creative-critical writing, environmental humanities: human cultures and the natural world, adaptation and interpretation. Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students. Teaching and Learning Teaching   You’ll be taught by published poets with extensive experience in their field through workshops, seminars and tutorials.  Our teaching staff in the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing includes award-winning poet Tiffany Atkinson and tutors such as Stephen Benson, Steve Waters, Rachel Potter and Jeremy Noel-Tod.   Independent study  From week to week, you’ll be expected to spend a significant amount of time on independent study, writing and redrafting poems, preparing feedback on your peers’ work, and reading widely in poetry and relevant criticism. And you’ll work independently towards your dissertation towards the end of your course.  You’ll submit 12 poems and a critical commentary for the Poetry Workshop in January, and the same amount for the workshop in May. Your dissertation consists of approximately 15–20 poems plus a critical commentary and is submitted in September.  The assessment for your compulsory module on poetic language is either a 5,000-word essay or a piece of creative-critical work. Assessments for optional modules vary but are typically a 5,000-word essay or an equivalent portfolio of creative and/or critical work.  Entry Requirements Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):    IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in other components)  Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.   We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review  our English Language Equivalencies  for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.   If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:    Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA     Academic English at INTO UEA    This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year . Additional Information or Requirements Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 20 pages of poetry. Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.  Fees and Funding Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:  UK Students: £9,975 (full time)  International Students: £21,200 (full time) If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).  We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.  Further Information on tuition fees can be found  here .  Scholarships and Bursaries  The University of East Anglia offers a range of  Scholarships ; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates. Course Related Costs Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs. How to Apply Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.  To apply please use our  online application form .  FURTHER INFORMATION  If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:  Postgraduate Admissions Office  Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515  Email:  [email protected]   International candidates are also encouraged to access the  International Students  section of our website.  Employability After the course. Our poetry graduates go on to enjoy all kinds of careers, especially in the literary arts. Several have received scholarships for further work at PhD level, many work in publishing (e.g. at Granta and the London Review of Books), and many publish their poetry to high acclaim.  Recent examples include Mona Arshi (MA Poetry 2010) winning the Forward Prize for Best First Collection in 2015, Sam Buchan-Watts (MA Poetry 2014) being named a Faber & Faber New Poet in 2015, Sohini Basak (MA Poetry 2016) winning the Eyewear Publishing Beverly Series Poetry Prize, Sean Wai Keung (MA Poetry 2016) winning the inaugural Rialto Open Pamphlet Competition 2016, and Anna Cathenka and Alice Willitts being shortlisted for the Ivan Juritz prize 2018.  A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022. Example of careers that you could enter include:  Publishing  Editing  Freelance writing  Arts management  Teaching  Advertising  Discover more on our Careers webpages .  Creative Writing Poetry starting September 2024 for 1 years 239 COMMENTS Learn Writing Topics Learn College English Writing Topics With Our Online Video Lessons & Course. Simplify & Accelerate Your Learning Today. Study Help Across K-12 & College Subjects. Learn. Write. Engage. Choose from courses in professional, technical, or creative writing. Learn to write content for ads, social media and interactive marketing. World's 100+ best Creative Writing universities [Rankings] Music 1046. Painting and Drawing 1066. Performing arts 1020. Photography 1196. Sculpture 1066. Singing and Vocal Performance 1091. UX/UI Desgin 1001. Below is the list of 100 best universities for Creative Writing in the World ranked based on their research performance: a graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by these ... Best Creative Writing Courses Online with Certificates [2024] In summary, here are 10 of our most popular creative writing courses. Creative Writing: Wesleyan University. Write Your First Novel: Michigan State University. The Strategy of Content Marketing: University of California, Davis. The Art of Storytelling: IESE Business School. The 13 Best Colleges for Creative Writing Degrees 1. Northwestern University. Established in 1851, Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois (just outside Chicago). With approximately 22,000 students, it's a private institution with a six-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. Professors in the creative writing program are award-winning authors. Master of Arts in Creative Writing The curriculum emphasizes the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting and poetry. The 30 unit degree combines an intense workshop requirement and a variety of special topic creative process classes as well as courses that expose students ... Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing Creative Work: Students will produce a written creative work demonstrating growth as writers. Professional Preparation: students will demonstrate skills in fields related to literature and/or creative writing, including publishing, writing, teaching, editing, book arts, and/or arts management. Literature: Students will read, discuss, and ... 2024 Best Creative Writing Schools A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Brown is a great university overall. There were about 48 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in creative writing from Brown University. Request Information. 8. 35 Best Colleges for Creative Writing Best Colleges for Creative Writing - we reveal the 35 best colleges for creative writing majors in the United States. ... Academic Highlights: Columbia offers 100+ unique areas of undergraduate study as well as a number of pre-professional and accelerated graduate programs. Class sizes at Columbia are reasonably small and the student-to-faculty ... Online Courses: Creative Writing Stanford Continuing Studies' online creative writing courses make it easy to take courses taught by instructors from Stanford's writing community. Thanks to the flexibility of the online format, these courses can be taken anywhere, anytime—a plus for students who lead busy lives or for whom regular travel to the Stanford campus is not possible. Creative Writing and Literature Graduate. Students enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts program in Creative Writing & Literature will develop skills in creative writing and literary analysis through literature courses and writing workshops in fiction, screenwriting, poetry, and nonfiction. Through online group courses and one-on-one tutorials, as well as a week on campus ... Home Page We're an independent creative writing institute based out of San Francisco. Founded in 2015, we offer writing workshops in several genres to writers of all experience levels from all walks of life. We encourage people to share their work and connect with peers and mentors. Our instructors are published working writers, professors, editors and ... 2024 Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools Best Schools for Bachelor's Students to Study Creative Writing in the United States. Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for creative writing students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list. 9 Best Places to Study Abroad for Creative Writing A country full of enchanting cities and towns (Paris is the city of love of course!), France is arguably one of the best places to stimulate your mind and your creative writing skills. From your strolls through the romantic city of Paris, to the lavender fields in Provence, rolling hills of wine country Bordeaux, and the relaxing ocean front on ... Creative Writing Courses Why study Creative Writing with The Open University? Since 2003, over 50,000 students have completed one of our critically acclaimed creative writing modules. The benefits of studying creative writing with us are: Develops your writing skills in several genres including fiction, poetry, life writing and scriptwriting. ... Where to Study Creative Writing in the US New York City. As the biggest city in the country, New York City may seem like a no brainer as a great place to study creative writing. Within the boundaries of the Big Apple lie some top creative writing schools, such as New York University and Columbia University. Both schools offer fine creative writing programs at both the undergraduate and ... Master of Arts in Creative Writing The curriculum emphasizes the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry. The degree combines an intense workshop requirement and a variety of special topic creative process classes as well as courses that expose students to a ... Creative Writing Sleeping on the Couch Wasted Pages. The Program in Creative Writing takes a comprehensive approach to the study of contemporary literature, criticism, and theory from a writer's perspective, and provides rigorous training in the fundamental practices of creative writing. In our courses, students work with established poets and prose writers ... Creative Writing CREATIVE WRITING. What's your story? Whether you're just beginning to write or putting the finishing touches on your first novel, our on-campus and online writing courses offer expert instruction, individual attention, and supportive feedback at all levels, in all genres of creative writing. Please visit The Writer's Spotlight page to learn ... 5 Best Universities to Study Creative Writing in the USA 1. Columbia University. Connections between New York City and Columbia University predate the 1754 founding of Columbia College (then known as King's College). Columbia University has gained popularity due to its diverse student body, high proportion of international students, and high quality of education. Stanford Creative Writing Courses CREATIVE WRITING AT STANFORD. Whether you're just beginning to write or putting the finishing touches on your first novel, our on-campus and online writing courses offer expert instruction, individual attention, and supportive feedback at all levels, in all genres of creative writing. Most of the instructors in our program have established ... Study Creative Writing Abroad Studying creative writing overseas will expand the opportunities for your future in so many ways. You'll learn indispensable lessons from your professors, fellow students, and the experience of living abroad. Be open to applying new ideas to both your writing and your way of life. Flexibility is the key to success during a semester abroad. Creative Writing Courses Our online creative writing courses are presented in a clear, straightforward format and contain the elements you look for in a live class, including writing lessons and exercises, as well as feedback from an experienced instructor and fellow students. Courses are open to all adults, and we encourage all levels of writers to enroll. Stanford Creative Writing Program The Stanford Creative Writing Program, founded in 1946 by Wallace Stegner, has become one of the nation's most distinguished creative writing institutions. After almost 80 years, the program continues to evolve while also respecting its original vision of recruiting and supporting talented writers, offering exceptional creative writing instruction and mentorship, and inspiring undergraduates ... Creative Writing Program The NYU Creative Writing Program. is among the most distinguished programs in the country and is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature. Learn More. Graduate Program. Creative Writing Creative Writing. This course guides students in writing fiction by learning and using the elements of creative writing: plot, character development, dialogue, description, scene, transition, and point of view. Two short stories are required. 5 Best Countries to Study Creative Writing Abroad Top Countries to Study Creative Writing. 1. Ireland. Best School/s: University College Cork | Maynooth University | Trinity College Dublin. Reasons: Friendly and welcoming country for international students, availability of scholarships, post-study work visa. Ireland is a top country to study creative writing as it is a very welcoming country ... Program: Creative Writing, MFA The MFA in creative writing combines literary study and writing workshops to help students develop their skills as critical readers, hone their craft as writers and expand their abilities to improve their own and others' work. At the heart of the program are small, supportive, intensive writing workshop experiences facilitated by experienced ... Master of Creative Writing and Master of Media and Communications Our degrees let you explore a range of areas to broaden your future opportunities. Undergraduate interdisciplinary and double degrees let you combine your interests, and postgraduate options let you tailor coursework and research to suit you. MA Creative Writing Poetry 2024/25 Teaching . You'll be taught by published poets with extensive experience in their field through workshops, seminars and tutorials. Our teaching staff in the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing includes award-winning poet Tiffany Atkinson and tutors such as Stephen Benson, Steve Waters, Rachel Potter and Jeremy Noel-Tod.. Independent study assignment essay homework phd report review speech thesis