cover letter

colleges with creative writing minors

Top 50 Minority Owned Creative Agencies

Directory image

  • Minority Owned

Looking for a top Minority Owned creative agency?

Investing in creative design is the key to getting your business to stand out. Creative agencies provide you with the knowledge necessary to help your company grow.  Read more +

Check out our directory of Minority Owned creative agencies. Browse reviews and ratings and scan by industry or specialty to find the company that's the best fit for you.

List of the Best Minority Owned Creative Design Companies

Social driver.

(63 Reviews)

Social Driver is a digital agency founded in 2011 with a team of over 10 members. Based in Washington, DC, they offer web design, social media marketing, and digital strategy solutions for clients ranging from small firms to large businesses in the fields of health care and nonprofit, among others.

Notable Project

A housing equity fund hired Social Driver for web design and development. Social Driver also assisted the client with creating branding guidelines. Key technologies included Webflow and Figma.

“They were worth every penny we spent.”

Design In DC

(35 Reviews)

Founded in 2016, Design In DC is a digital design agency that works with small and mid-market businesses. A team of 25 employees with a wide-range of skills, their technical services include app development, web development and maintenance. Design In DC also offers creative services such as videography and photography to enhance client projects. 

Design In DC designed and developed an interactive WordPress website for a software development company from scratch, implementing the client’s content strategy and desired elements into their designs.

“They do a great job at breaking away from how traditional, template-based WordPress sites look.”

(12 Reviews)

neuelane is a Miami-based full-service advertising agency founded in 2017. The team of about five employees serves midmarket and small businesses in the real estate, hospitality and leisure, and retail industries. They offer advertising, social media marketing, and branding services.

A hospitality company hired neuelane to provide rebranding services. Their efforts also included logo positioning, logo palette development, photography, and video content, among other tasks.

''It was a pleasurable experience working with them on this project.''

Ragsdale Design Group (RDG)

(4 Reviews)

Advertising company Ragsdale Design Group (RDG) was founded in 2008. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, their small team offers advertising, branding, web design, and web development.

Ragsdale Design Group helped a nonprofit company complete their website. The team handled the entire design and implementation process. 

"They were able to give me more than I had anticipated."

Complex Creative

(16 Reviews)

Complex Creative (Formerly London Creative Designs) is a digital agency that was founded in 2013. Headquartered in London, their small team of 8 specializes in web development, branding, graphic design, and more. 

An e-commerce jigsaw puzzle retailer hired Complex Creative to develop a website for their business.

"Communication with Sabrina was seamless and she was always prompt in her responses."

(5 Reviews)

Sensis is an integrated cross-cultural marketing agency with offices in Los Angeles Washington, D.C., Austin, and Atlanta. Founded in 1998, the team of 90+ offers advertising, research, digital experience, PR, social media, and branding. They develop research-based campaigns that drive measurable ROI their clients.

Sensis overhauled a university extension’s marketing department with the goal of transferring all operations to the in-house team. They implemented best practices, wrote brand guidelines, and trained staff.

"They were very focused on establishing calmness in the unit and creating a clear direction to guide their work."

Noble Digital

(7 Reviews)

Noble Digital is a creative growth agency that was founded in 2012. They have three employs working out of Santa Monica, Calif., where they provide brand strategy and planning, digital campaigning, video production, and UX/UI design. They work with small, midmarket and global companies, primarily in e-commerce, business services, consumer products, and finance.

Noble Digital provides marketing support, analyzing the competition and product lines. They also produce creative promotional content.

"They’re data-people… and they’re creative too. But, their creativity is based on data, which makes all the difference."

Freestyle Creative

(1 Reviews)

Freestyle Creative is a marketing and advertising company located in Moore, Okla. Founded in 2007, they have roughly 10 teammates who also provide digital marketing, PR, web design, media placement, video production, and branding services. They tailor services to small businesses and midmarket firms in education as well as the real estate and healthcare industries.

Freestyle Creative provided branding services for a software development company. The team also provided UI designs for the client's website.

"They make it easy for us to communicate and work together!"

Citizen Group

(17 Reviews)

True to its name, Citizen Group is an advertising agency with a pro-social, citizen-based approach. Founded in 2006, Citizen Group is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and its small team of 15 employees offers social media marketing, design, and branding.

Citizen Group devised a brand and advertising program for a waste reduction program. The team created a tagline, logo, and marketing collateral. Traditional advertising services included print and radio. 

"They went beyond what we of asked them as part of their program."

JJR Marketing Inc.

JJR Marketing is a marketing and public relations agency based in the west suburbs of Chicago, IL. Founded in 2006, JJR Marketing focuses on generating buzz, leads, referrals, sales, and growth for clients. The team of about 10 employees offers PR, social media marketing, marketing strategy, advertising, branding, and web design services to mostly small and mid-market businesses.

JJR Marketing launched a website for a COVID product in record time. After that success, they handle PR and marketing for the office interior company, including creating content and generating media attention.

"It was amazing how well they worked."

Crea7ive Branding and Advertising Agency

(8 Reviews)

Crea7ive Interactive Advertising is a Miami based branding agency. The agency was founded in 2006 and now maintains a team of about 10. Crea7ive Interactive Advertising focuses on branding, digital strategy, UX/UI design, marketing strategy, advertising and logo design for mid-size and large companies.

Crea7ive Interactive Advertising redesigned a healthcare outsourcing firm’s website. After that success, they produced print, digital, and video marketing, plus web design projects for the firm’s clients.

“They’re very responsive. They always take care of anything we need. I always enjoy working with them.”

A+S Ideas Studio

Worked with A+S Ideas Studio?

Founded in 2010, A+S Ideas Studio is a web design company. The company offers web design, advertising, branding, ux/ui design, and more and has a small team.

SRB Communications

Worked with SRB Communications?

SRB Communications is a small advertising company. The Washington, District of Columbia-based company was launched in 1990. Their team offers advertising, marketing strategy, branding, broadcast video, and more.

SGW Integrated Marketing Communications

Worked with SGW Integrated Marketing Communications?

SGW Integrated Marketing Communications is a broadcast video company based in Montville, New Jersey. The small team focuses on broadcast video, video production, advertising, branding, and more. The firm was established in 1979.

VIVO360, Inc.

Worked with VIVO360, Inc.?

VIVO360, Inc. Is a small advertising company. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, the firm was founded in 2001. Their services include advertising, branding, marketing strategy, web design, and more.

Puppet Master Marketing

Worked with Puppet Master Marketing?

AVANZA Hispanic Advertising + Branding Agency

Worked with AVANZA Hispanic Advertising + Branding Agency?

AVANZA Hispanic Advertising + Branding Agency is an advertising company. Their small team is in Miami Springs, Florida. The firm provides advertising, branding, digital strategy, web design, and more. The firm was launched in 2013.

d exposito & Partners

Worked with d exposito & Partners?

Advertising company d exposito & Partners was launched in 2005. They are in New York, New York and have a small team. D exposito & Partners provides advertising, branding, digital strategy, social media marketing, and more.

Foston International

Worked with Foston International?

Foston International is a Houston, Texas-based advertising company. Launched in 1984, the small team offers advertising, marketing strategy, public relations, and video production.

Agency MABU

Worked with Agency MABU?

Agency MABU is a video production company established in 2009. The agency focuses on video production, advertising, branding, and graphic design and has a small team.

eLittle Communications Group

Worked with eLittle Communications Group?

eLittle Communications Group, an advertising company, was established in 2007. The firm offers advertising, marketing strategy, public relations, branding, and more and has a small team. The firm is in St. Louis, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, Tennessee.

Tico Productions LLC

Worked with Tico Productions LLC?

DESIGNS BY STACEY INC

Worked with DESIGNS BY STACEY INC?

In , , DESIGNS BY STACEY INC is an advertising company. The company provides advertising, branding, graphic design, logo, and more and is small.The company was launched in 1991.

My House of Design

Worked with My House of Design?

Worked with AD PRO?

AD PRO is an advertising company. Established in 1988, the small company is based in Huntington Beach, California. Their services include advertising, graphic design, marketing strategy, and print design.

Cypace Marketing

Worked with Cypace Marketing?

RDP Creative

Worked with RDP Creative?

RDP Creative is an advertising company established in 2000. The midsize Houston, Texas-based team offers advertising, branding, digital strategy, print design, and more.

Hendricks Consulting and Company

Worked with Hendricks Consulting and Company?

Ikonic Public Relations, LLC.

Worked with Ikonic Public Relations, LLC.?

APartnership

Worked with APartnership?

Related content

Naming Companies

Affiliate Marketing Companies

Public Relations Companies

Direct Marketing Companies

Advertising Companies

Media Planning and Buying Companies

Video Production Companies

Branding Companies

Recommended Advertising & Creative Articles

What does ppc stand for & why invest in it, 6 benefits of hiring a pr company, how to use behavioral targeting and navigate regulations, how to design a name tag to represent your brand.

Scholarships for Minority College Students

Staff Writers

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated December 1, 2022

AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Paying for college can be tough for anyone. For certain segments of the population, however, a number of unique opportunities are available to help lower the overall cost of a degree and they're often reserved specifically for minority groups. This guide offers several scholarships for minorities and provides expert information on how to find, apply for, and win similar financial awards to help you achieve your higher education goals.

10 Scholarships for Minority Students

Acs scholars program.

African American, American Indian and Hispanic high school students or college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors completing a chemical sciences or chemical technology degree can apply to this scholarship. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA in chemistry or the sciences to qualify. Scholarships can be renewed and are typically awarded to approximately 350 students per year.

Actuarial Foundation Diversity Scholarship

The Actuarial Foundation offers this award to students who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic, Native North American, or Pacific Islander. Applicants must be full-time undergraduates at an accredited U.S. institution. Competitive students have a 3.0 GPA or higher with a 28 on the ACT or a 620 SAT math score. Applicants should also want to pursue a career in an actuarial profession.

Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship

This award is for minority students who are enrolled in a full-time healthcare management master's program, including those in MHA, MPH, MBA in Healthcare Administration or comparable programs. Applicants should be entering their last year of the program and must be U.S. citizens with demonstrated financial need.

American Bar Association Minority Scholarship

Up to twenty incoming law students receive $5,000 annually over three years of law school to encourage and support diversity in the profession. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a 2.5 GPA or higher. Applications must include a personal statement, list of community service activities, and resume with educational background.

American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship

All undergraduate and graduate students of American Indian or Alaska native heritage who have official tribal affiliation may apply. Students must be enrolled full-time in an accredited nonprofit school, including tribal colleges and universities. Applicants must have a 2.0 GPA or higher.

American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship

The American Library Association offers this award to minority graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must be enrolled at an ALA-accredited college or university as a full- or part-time learner. Students must take at least two classes per semester to receive the scholarship funds.

BLM Scholarship Foundation

Applicants for the BLM Scholarship Foundation program must be minority students who have an outstanding high school record and have plans to attend a four-year college. Students should be Illinois residents with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Award winners must enroll during the fall semester of the year they receive the award.

Hispanic Dental Association Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is for current members of the Hispanic Dental Association who have been accepted to or are enrolled in an accredited dental program. Applicants should have a 3.0 GPA or higher and show interest in improving oral health within Hispanic communities. Applicants must also include a letter of recommendation.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

The HSF scholarship fund is open to graduate students as well as high school seniors, undergraduates, and community college students transferring to four-year universities. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage. All majors may apply but STEM students receive preference.

NBPA Alphonso Deal Scholarship Award

Offered by the National Black Police Association, high school seniors may apply to this scholarship to help cover the cost of their upcoming college education. Students must be planning on majoring in criminal justice or a related field. To be considered, applicants must submit a 500-word essay, senior photo, letter of acceptance to a college or university, high school transcript, and a letter of recommendation.

Scholarship Resources for Specific Student Groups

Scholarship money primarily comes from three sources. Minority students can take advantage of financial assistance from one or all of these sources, which are outlined below:

Federal and State Government

The federal government offers four types of grants: Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. To apply, students must complete a FAFSA. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), during the 2015-16 school year, college students at four-year institutions received an average of $4,765 in federal grants and took out $7,858 in student loans.Individual state governments also offer scholarship awards that are funded by state resources. These scholarships are offered in a range of categories and are usually open to college students with in-state residency. The NCES reports that during the 2015-16 academic year, students received an average of $3,436 in state/local grants.

Colleges and Universities

These scholarships come directly from higher education institutions and are typically reserved for its own students unless the school partners with a third party and welcomes outside applicants. The NCES reports that students received an average of $10,551 in institutional grants during the 2015-16 school year. Unlike federal and state grants, the amount of institutional awards has steadily increased since at least the 2000-1 academic year.

Private Organizations

Many private organizations also offer scholarship awards to minority students. According to Debt.org, private organizations distribute approximately $3.3 billion in student scholarships each school year. Examples of such organizations include:

Types of Scholarships for Minorities

Tons of scholarship opportunities are available to minority students. Some, however, are harder to find than others. To help ensure you locate all potential sources, try searching for awards by categories that are relevant to your interests and background. As a starting point, below are some of the most common types of scholarships for minority students:

Athletic Scholarships

These awards are typically offered by colleges and universities or private foundations. They are competitive and the number of available awards usually depends on the sport. Only about  one percent of high school student-athletes receive full or partial athletic scholarships for college. These scholarships also tend to have strict requirements for student-athletes to continue receiving funds, such as a minimum GPA, minimum course load, and adherence to classroom attendance guidelines, to name a few examples.

Merit-based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awards that are granted based on a student's academic performance, leadership roles, ACT or SAT scores, community service, and any other extracurricular activities that make them an above-and-beyond student. As a result, the scholarship review committee uses applicants' academic performance as one of the primary distinguishing factors when selecting final candidates and award winners. Merit-based scholarships can came from governments, colleges and universities, and private organizations.

Need-based Scholarships

Need-based awards are scholarships that are awarded based on a student's financial need, which is calculated by subtracting a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the cost of education. These scholarships can come from the federal government in the form of a Pell Grant. Pell Grants are usually awarded only to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and are working towards an undergraduate degree. These awards can also come from private organizations and colleges and universities themselves. In many cases, students only need to demonstrate significant financial need to be considered for a need-based award -- criteria such as GPA may not always be evaluated.

Unique Scholarships

Some scholarships and grants are reserved for degree seeks with unique hobbies, special interests, and/or unique creative pursuits. There are many awards offered by private organizations, for example, that support learners with original ideas and research interests. In fact, some of the applications simply ask for students to submit a project proposal outlining how and why they'd carry out a project given the proper funding, access to resources, and education. Scholarships are sometimes available to students with interest in baking pastries, working in agriculture, creative writing, or rock climbing. Conduct some serious online searches for any of your notable interests or hobbies. You may be surprised at what you find.

Subject- or Career-specific Scholarships

Many awards outside of the need-based category are created to support students who want a college education to pursue a specific career. Academic societies and career-specific organizations are most likely to offer these types of awards. Most of the time, applicants must have a strong academic record in addition to a documented interest in the field or subject. For example, if you are interested in pursuing a career in photography or music, scholarship committees will expect that your resume reflect that interest over time through coursework or extracurricular activities. You may even be asked to submit samples of your work or a project portfolio for consideration.

Employer Scholarships

Some major companies and businesses offer scholarships to their employees or employees and their families. Even the federal government offers some funding opportunities for government employees and their children. These opportunities are often merit-based and require applicants to be active members in their professional communities. Some companies, such as  JetBlue  for example, give employees funding retroactively for courses they've already completed. Some employers are even actively involved in helping their employees locate classes and finish their degrees in a timely manner.

Community Service Scholarships

Students have many reasons to participate in community service activities. In addition to helping others and serving their communities, prospective college students may also be able to receive scholarship money based on their volunteering and service record. There may be additional considerations for these awards, such as your GPA and career interests. Regardless, there are hundreds of community service awards at the local, regional, and national levels through private organizations and foundations.

Q&A: How to Find and Apply to Scholarships

Although scholarships can be hard to find and are often competitive, they are still well worth the time and effort. To help with the research and application process, Dr. Deniece Dortch, creator of the African American Doctoral Scholars Initiative and a visiting assistant professor at George Washington University, offers valuable insight by answering the following frequently asked questions.

Where and how do I find scholarships?

Finding scholarships can be a very overwhelming and time-consuming process. That said, if you are persistent, you should be able to find scholarships that fit your interests, goals, and your identity. The first thing that you should do is create a list of relevant terms to search for, similar to how you would if you were researching a class paper or project. For example, I am an African American woman who is in the field of education. My search terms might be: “grant funding for African American women”, “scholarships African American women”, “scholarships for women”, “college scholarships”, “university scholarships”, “government scholarships”, and “scholarships for high school seniors”. Then conduct an internet search and see what organizations you can find using those terms.

Another way of looking for scholarships is by perusing items within your own household. Many companies provide college and university scholarships if you go on their websites. Are you a soda fan? Did you know that Coca-Cola gives away 150 scholarships each year? Did you just eat McDonalds for lunch? They are giving away scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Also try, Taco Bell, Burger King, and KFC . Do you use a Dell computer ? Did you just drink a bottle water? If you live in Maine, Poland Spring gives away nearly $15,000 to high school students. These are just a few examples.

Also, consider applying for local scholarships. There are insurance companies, restaurants, law firms, and other local businesses that might have college scholarships available. A good way to look up local businesses in your area is through the closest chamber of commerce. The chamber of commerce will have a list of registered businesses in one place.

Lastly, I would suggest the following websites: UNCF-United Negro College Fund , American Indian Graduate Center Scholars , Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund , Hispanic Scholarship Fund , Fast Web , and Scholarships.com . The information on these sites may give you additional or alternate scholarship options and resources to support your academic goals.

Make sure you create a table or spreadsheet with information for each potential donor, the application deadline, and the award amount so that you can keep track of everything you find.

How do I apply for scholarships?

Each application will provide you with instructions for how to fill out the application and meet the requirements. Usually there is a submission of grades, personal essay, and sometimes recommendation letters.

When do I apply?

You want to make sure that you apply for scholarships as early as possible and definitely before the deadline. It is best to begin looking at least one year in advance to allow yourself some time to get your materials together. Usually, for financial aid purposes, all scholarship information is communicated to institutions by March. That said, apply for as many scholarships as possible during the fall semester of your senior year of high school. Some scholarship deadlines are as early as October.

How do I get my scholarship money?

The application form usually indicates how the money will be transferred. Sometimes, the funds are transferred directly to the school, but are credited to you. Other times, the money is given to you in the form of a check (made out to the institution) for you to deliver to the institution. Finally, sometimes, you actually don't receive the money at all, but you are reimbursed for items purchased (i.e., books, supplies). All of this will depend on the scholarship award benefactor.

What can I use my scholarship money for?

You scholarship money can be used for all sorts of things, but primarily it will depend on what the donor (benefactor, grantor) says that the money is for. For example, if you go to the website for the American Association of United Women , there are different types of grants/scholarships available for different women (e.g. women who are conducting research full-time, women who want to advance their careers or gain a certificate, women who are underrepresented in a professional field, women who are pursuing graduate degrees, individuals or organizations who are interested in promoting equity for women and girls). They tell you how the money can be spent and what it can be spent on. For them, you can spend the money on rent or food, or supplies related to your research. That said, tuition scholarships are used for tuition. Book scholarships are used for books. If there is left over scholarship money, and sometimes that happens, usually it will be transferred to the student in the form of a refund and at that point it is left up to the student's discretion. Check with the benefactor and your financial aid office if anything is unclear. The last thing that you want is a financial aid nightmare where you have to return money.

Related reading:

Everything You Need To Know About the FAFSA

6 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship

As a minority student, you may be competing against a smaller applicant pool per each scholarship, which has its pros and cons. Following the tips below can help increase your chances of standing out and winning a scholarship.

Do your research

You should apply for as many scholarships as you can, but make sure you give yourself enough time to give a 100 percent effort on every single one. You'll need to examine all of the application requirements and eligibility rules before you spend any time working on the documents you'll submit. Initially, give it a close look to ensure it makes sense for you to apply in the first place and to make sure you understand all the requirements so you cover them all when actually applying.

Search for local scholarships

Sure, winning those $10,000-20,000 awards to support your education would be a massive help. But what often goes overlooked are local scholarships through small organizations and local businesses or foundations, especially those that serve specific minority groups. It can take some time to locate them, but these smaller dollar awards can be more attainable and will add up quickly.

Use personal connection and anecdotes in your application

It's important to apply for scholarships that you connect with on a personal level. Whether it's a career-specific award or based on a lifelong hobby you enjoy, your application will benefit from this real life connection.

Complete and submit the FAFSA, no matter what

Even if you think you don't need federal financial aid, submit a FAFSA anyway. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education gives billions to students and you must submit a FAFSA to be considered. A large amount of that money is distributed on a rolling basis, so the sooner you submit your FAFSA, the more likely you will obtain free money for college.

Don't ignore scholarships with labor-intensive applications

Although the most common advice is to apply to as many scholarships as possible, doing so is time-consuming, which means some students may be tempted to skip over scholarship opportunities that have labor-intensive applications. This is a big mistake. If you are a strong candidate and have planned ahead to submit your application well before the deadlines, it is worth the extra time and effort to meet a longer list of application requirements.

Do not pay to apply

Scholarships and grants should be about obtaining money for your education, not spending money for consideration. If you come across a scholarship where you are asked to pay an application fee, forget it and move on. In many cases, these are scams that take advantage of eager students.

Popular Resources

Whether you’re looking to earn your online degree or you’re a parent looking for answers, you can find all of your questions covered here. Explore these resources to help you make informed decisions and prepare for whatever is thrown your way.

Shape your future with an online degree

Connect with a community of peers, and find a program that will allow you to continue your education in a fast and flexible way.

2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing Undergrad Degrees

Writer at a desk with a computer, magazines, coffee, headphones, iPhone, and a pad of paper reading "Pass It On."

Creative Writing is a field where writers explore their imagination and express ideas through words. Creative Writing is an excellent degree for anyone interested in writing, regardless of whether your passion lies in fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, or nonfiction. This flexibility is one reason why creative writing degrees have become very popular over the years. 

If you're here, you're probably wondering what college you should attend for writing. We've compiled an excellent lineup below highlighting colleges that offer an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing, colleges that offer English majors with an Emphasis in Creative Writing, as well as minors, certificates, and a smattering of MFA program shoutouts.

About the Best Creative Writing Degree Programs

The best creative writing programs are those that have been around for a while and have established themselves as leaders in the field. They also tend to be highly selective, which means they only accept students who are genuinely passionate about writing.

These programs are usually led and taught by distinguished professionals like award-winning novelists, short story writers, journalists, and poets. And they typically have thriving writing centers and options for students to enter writing competitions and grow alongside one another within their community. 

But there's also a degree of subjectivity to any "best" list. So we recommend reading through the schools and programs below and asking yourself some essential questions as you narrow your list.

Self-evaluate undergraduate writing programs:

Common Questions About Creative Writing Programs

Before we jump into our extensive list- we can't help it. We love writing, and there are a lot of great schools and programs out there- we want to answer a few common questions we hear. 

Is Creative Writing a BA, BFA, or BS Degree?

Generally, a creative writing degree is a BA degree. But occasionally, we've seen a few BFAs. In addition, technical writing programs sometimes offer BS degrees. 

What is the Best Creative Writing Degree?

The answer to this question is it depends. It depends on what you want to do with your skills and experiences when you graduate. As you read through our list, you'll see that some degrees and programs tailored toward poetry or prose, while others would set you up nicely for a career in nonfiction writing.

We recommend evaluating any program and college, as mentioned above, to make your decision on the best degree. 

How Much Does a Creative Writing Degree Cost?

Like any other degree program, the cost of tuition will vary wildly depending on the institution, location, and how much financial aid you're eligible for. 

Tuition and cost information is readily available across the internet, but what a student's family actually pays is based on a variety of factors. Cappex offers personalized tuition and cost estimations based on information like expected family contribution, location, and GPA. Click here to create a free Cappex account and learn how much you'd pay for a creative writing degree at these schools. 

Best Colleges for a Creative Writing Undergraduate Degree

Now for our list of best undergraduate programs for creative writing.  

University of Iowa

The University of Iowa offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Creative Writing and a Literary Publishing Track. You'll also be earning your degree in writing in a UNESCO City of Literature which hosts an annual Book Fest, as well as numerous other opportunities to get involved with the flourishing literary community in Iowa City.

Most widely known for the famous Iowa Writers' Workshop, it's less known that you don't have to be a graduate student to take advantage of the boatloads of experience in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Better yet, this is one of the few public universities on the list. 

Northwestern University

Nestled within the English Department at Northwestern University , the Creative Writing Major is considered a concentration, but admission is very competitive. Students can study it as a major, minor, or sequence-only student. Benefits of majoring include one-on-ones with visiting writers, senior honors, and participation in the winter senior readings series.

Students can apply for admission no earlier than the spring semester of their sophomore year and must complete specific prerequisites to be considered. Accepted students will study with accomplished professors, and visiting writers from the Annual Writers' Festival held during the Evanston Literary Festival.

Columbia University

Columbia University in the City of New York offers an undergraduate Creative Writing program that combines intensive workshops with seminars to produce works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction students can opt to major in a Single or Cross-Genre course of study. Students can also take workshops in dramatic writing and screenwriting.

The program is modeled after the graduate Writing Division of The School of the Arts, which offers a high-ranking MFA program. Any student may apply to join the program regardless of their major upon entering Columbia. Located in New York City, students also have the advantage of being close to the major publishing houses in the industry.

Emory University

Celebrating its 29th birthday this year, the Emory University undergraduate Creative Writing Program encourages students to approach the study of literature creatively, including through their own personal interests in specific genres such as poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting.

Every year, the Creative Writing Program sponsors the Creative Writing Reading Series, bringing four to six internationally renowned and prize-winning authors to Atlanta, GA, to discuss writing with Emory students.

Oberlin College

Oberlin College's department of Creative Writing offers the program as both a major and a minor. With 57 courses and nine associated faculty, students can fully explore fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. One of the standouts in this program versus others is the 5 Study Away program is the department collaborates with many Creative Writing programs that discourage students from heading abroad.

The program can be competitive, even once you've been accepted. Students must submit an application for all upper-level workshops with 12 pages of their best work. The students with the best applications will be rewarded with a seat in a classroom at the picturesque Peters Hall at this Ohio institution.

Hamilton College

Named for the now-famous-thanks-to-Lin-Manuel-Miranda Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton College's Literature and Creative Writing Department offers a creative writing curriculum that emphasizes small classes to go along with the development of superior reading and writing skills.

Students can take advantage of research opportunities in writing, as well, and apply for the college's Emerson Grants program. Located in Clinton, NY, Hamilton, students are just over four hours away from the publishing industry.

Stanford University

The Creative Writing Program at Stanford University was founded by Wallace Stegner, a noted writer, and environmentalist, in 1946. For students earning an undergraduate degree, Stanford offers a major in English with an Emphasis on Creative Writing. A minor in Creative Writing is also offered for students taking majors outside of English, featuring tracks in prose and poetry.

The Stegner Fellowship is a major offered by the Creative Writing Program, accepting five fiction and five poetry fellows per year. While there's no degree attached to this, it functions as a writer-in-residence opportunity and receives the guidance of Stanford faculty.

Brown University

The Literary Arts program at Brown University offers a concentration in Literary Arts within their English Department, but the primary focus is on MFA students. To complete the undergrad concentration, students need to take a mix of reading intensive and writing workshop classes. But as you'd expect from a liberal arts college with such a stellar reputation, an undergrad concentration in creative writing from Brown would be a worthwhile endeavor.  

The University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh Writing Program is one of the oldest in the nation and offers three tracks for students to pursue: fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Each track has three levels of classes and is topped off with a senior seminar capstone experience.

Undergraduate students are eligible for four writing awards at the University of Pittsburgh and can also participate in events such as the Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series. The institution also features an MFA program.

The University of Miami

The University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences features a Bachelor's in English with a Creative Writing Concentration. In addition, students can opt for a Thesis or non-thesis track. Still, both routes feature courses with a multilingual aspect, whether it's an entirely different language or an English vernacular from other communities. UM's MFA program is the only nationwide program with a broad, multilingual focus.

Mangrove, a national undergraduate literary magazine, allows students to get hands-on learning, and they can also utilize USpeak, UM's open mic night, to read original work aloud.

Kenyon College

Located in Gabier, OH, and home to the Kenyon Review, Kenyon College features an English major with an Emphasis on Creative WritinIn addition, tenTen faculty members teach workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

While at Kenyon College, students can apply for internships with the Kenyon Review Student Associates Program, apply for the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop, submit to The Kenyon Collegian, and more. Students can also take advantage of the Kenyon-Exeter program to study abroad.

Brandeis University 

Brandeis University also offers the whole enchilada: a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. It's been taught at Brandeis since 1951 and became its own major in 2003, with classes offered entirely by established writers.

Workshops have a maximum of 14 students, and the program is very active, with sponsored reading series', student awards, panel discussions, publishing workshops, and journal and performance opportunities.

Bucknell University

Home to the Stadler Center for Poetry and Literary Arts, Bucknell University 's Creative Writing major, housed in the English department, gets support both on and off campus. Students can take workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, participate in a lively reading series, internship opportunities, and garner knowledge from writers-in-residence.

Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, students study contemporary texts just three hours from the publishing capital, NYC.

Washington University in St. Louis

Students at Washington University in St. Louis can earn a Certificate in Creative Writing comprised of 16 units. Acceptance to the MFA program is highly competitive but comes with several perks.

UT-Austin offers a Certificate in Creative Writing and an Honors option addition, the The New Writers Project is a 3-year MFA program that offers concentrations in poetry and fiction.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins has a writing program that allows you to explore many different writing styles, including poetry, literature, and prose. But the program also weaves in philosophy, history, and music courses, including amusing-sounding classes like "Reintroduction to Writing: On Bullshit," and "Reintroduction to Writing: The Cost of Free Speech."

University of Michigan

When you join the creative writing program at the University of Michigan , you're walking in the same footsteps as well-known American writers such as Theodore Roethke, Arthur Miller, Marge Piercy, and Jane Kenyon.

According to their website, courses are designed to expose students to essential works from the past and innovative new works. In addition, the University of Michigan English Department is home to the Avery Hopwood Awards , one of the country's most famous student writing prizes. All students enrolled in writing courses are eligible to enter the contests.

University of Virginia

The University of Virginia offers a fully-funded 2-year MFA program that is highly competitive — it only admits five poets and five fiction writers per year. However, through the English program, undergraduates can major in English and choose a concentration in poetry or literary prose. Going in the poetry direction allows writers to pursue serious study of the craft of poetry writing and poetics. In contrast, literary prose writing or literary prose allows English majors to specialize in the art of narrative writing.

Honorable Creative Writing Program Mentions:

University of Rochester: The Department of English offers a track in Creative Writing. Students must apply to a specific Creative Writing advisor and receive written approval to pursue the concentration.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: In the Comparative Media Studies department, students can major in Writing. MIT offers several different writing genres but has several unique classes in science writing in particular.

Colorado College: A track within the English major, students at Colorado College can complete 15 courses to get awarded the distinction of Creative Writing at graduation.

Colby College: The Creative Writing concentration at Colby College is provided for English majors. Students can earn an Honors designation, as well.

University of Texas-Austin: UT-Austin offers a Certificate in Creative Writing, as well as an Honors option. The New Writers Project is a 3-year MFA program that offers concentrations in poetry and fiction.

Paying for Your Creative Writing Degree

Now that you have a good idea of what's out there in terms of degree options, you'll want to be sure to connect with scholarship money and accurate degree program cost details. That's where Cappex comes in. Create a free Cappex account to compare costs and access scholarships and our $1,000 easy-apply scholarship we offer every month. There’s no essay or GPA required to apply. Click the button below to get started. Here’s to the easiest $1000 you'll earn for college!

Find money for schools and apply for the Cappex Easy Money Scholarship just by creating a free account. No essay or GPA required.

15 Best Small Colleges for Creative Writing Degrees 2023

colleges with creative writing minors

Choosing a writing program isn’t always easy. There are many things to consider. What kind of stories do I want to write? What is my desired storytelling medium? Good undergraduate writing programs allow students to try their hand at all mediums and genres. Because this ranking focuses on the best small colleges for writing, we included only colleges with fewer than 5,000 students. We ranked them based on factors like return on:

Colleges were chosen from U.S. News and World Report’s Writing in the Disciplines ranking. This means you won’t see large colleges like Washington University.

The schools profiled below are ranked in order of points earned. In the event of a tie in points, the schools with the lower net price are ranked higher. The colleges were scored based on:

We focus on these factors because in our rankings we’re always looking to feature the best colleges that are a great deal. Whether a college is a good deal depends on much more than simple cost. High graduation rate means the college is good at helping undergraduate students finish their bachelor’s degree. High return on investment means that on average, students earn more once they leave school. This holds true even once the cost of school is factored in. National ranking is reflective of the overall quality of the education you’re paying for. And while it’s not the end-all-be-all, tuition is factored in as well.

Best Small Colleges for Aspiring Creative Writers 2023

#1. princeton university.

Princeton University-Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 100

Princeton University offers a creative writing program through their arts program. Students will work with respected writers in small workshops. Workshops average eight to 10 undergraduate students in each. Examples of writers who work with students are:

Every year 25-30 seniors work with a faculty member to write an original work.

Tuition: $56,010 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #13 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Universities #1 20yr Net Return on Investment: $1,104,000 Graduation Rate: 98%

#2. Yale University

Yale University Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 95.11

Yale University’s creative writing program is offered through the English department. The program combines a small workshop format with lectures. There will also be readings by professional writers. English students will gain experience in writing:

Yale’s undergraduate student body consists of around 4,700 students.

Tuition: $59,950 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #3 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Universities #5 20yr Net Return on Investment: $987,000 Graduation Rate: 97%

#3. Williams College

Williams College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 91.22

At Williams College, creative writing is offered through the English Department. It is one of a few options for students enrolled in the English degree program. The core of the creative writing program consists of the workshops in poetry and fiction. There are also classes in genres like:

Workshops consist of no more than 12 students. They are open to students regardless of major, creating an atmosphere of diversity of perspectives. The student body population at Williams is 1,962 students.

Tuition: $59,660 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #18 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #1 20yr Net Return on Investment: $866,000 Graduation Rate: 95%

#4. Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 90.73

Dartmouth has a department of English and Creative Writing. Creative writing is offered as a concentration for English majors. Honors students can also choose to focus on creative writing. Students will take part in creative writing experiences. These include writing workshops and the study of literature from a writer’s perspective.

Tuition: $60,870 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #18 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Universities #13 20yr Net Return on Investment: $887,000 Graduation Rate: 95%

#5. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 89.66

Swarthmore’s creative writing program consists of yearly workshops in:

The program is interdisciplinary. Thirteen courses are offered through the English Department and four courses in other departments. Students can pursue individual work under faculty guidance to prepare for the honors program. Many poets and novelists have graduated from Swarthmore. These include:

Tuition: $56,056 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #6 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #3 20yr Net Return on Investment: $811,000 Graduation Rate: 94%

#6. Hamilton College

Hamilton University Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 85.02

Hamilton is a small liberal arts college in New York State that offers many courses through the creative writing department. These courses include:

Hamilton is home to the Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center which is available to students who need help honing their writing.

Tuition: $59,970 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #10 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #13 20yr Net Return on Investment: $715,000 Graduation Rate: 93%

#7. Bowdoin College

Bowdoin Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 84.11

The English major at Bowdoin features British, American, and global literature of many genres. Courses include:

The program is interdisciplinary, so students will engage with:

Tuition: $58,322 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #14 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #6 20yr Net Return on Investment: $636,000 Graduation Rate: 95%

#8. Amherst College

Amherst College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 83.65

Amherst’s creative writing program features faculty from many different departments. Courses are offered in:

Literary events are held throughout the year. These events feature faculty from across the school’s five colleges. The interdisciplinary approach provides students with many different experiences and perspectives.

Tuition: $61,335 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #5 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #2 20yr Net Return on Investment: $627,000 Graduation Rate: 95%

#9. Middlebury College

Middlebury Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 80.83

Middlebury College is located among the Green Mountains featured in Robert Frost’s poetry. Students can major in English and American literature with a creative writing track. There are more than 20 courses offered per year. These cover:

The faculty of the creative writing program are all talented authors.

Tuition: $59,770 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #21 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #9 20yr Net Return on Investment: $565,000 Graduation Rate: 93%

#10. Wellesley College

Wellesley College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 79.64

Creative writing courses at Wellesley are pass/fail. Student writers will take workshops in:

They will also consult with faculty advisors to select courses in literary study. These courses can be tailored to the student’s goals. Creative writing is also offered as part of the honors program.

Tuition: $60,752 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #14 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #5 20yr Net Return on Investment: $543,000 Graduation Rate: 91%

#11. Carleton College

Carleton College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 76.19

Students can choose to minor in creative writing at Carleton. Those who do will take 18 credits of creative writing workshops. Workshops cover:

Students who like travel can take the creative travel writing workshop. Writing combined with social justice is a great option for socially conscious writers. There is also a short stories workshop, and memoir writing class.

Tuition: $60,225 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #3 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #9 20yr Net Return on Investment: $412,000 Graduation Rate: 92%

#12. Grinnell College

Grinnell College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 73.12

Grinnell College fosters a vibrant culture of creative writing for student writers. The school has many talented authors among its faculty, staff, and graduate students. There are also many published writers in the small town of Grinnell, which is in Iowa. Students can take courses in:

There are also special topic courses. These address specific issues such as writing the land, and advanced seminars on:

Tuition: $58,648 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #21 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #13 20yr Net Return on Investment: $358,000 Graduation Rate: 89%

#13. Dickinson College

Dickinson College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 69.55

You don’t have to be an English major to take the creative writing minor at Dickinson. The minor features workshops in fiction and poetry with 15 students per workshop. There is also a creative writing core and several electives available for students. Core courses include:

Tuition: $58,708 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #18 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #50 20yr Net Return on Investment: $319,000 Graduation Rate: 83%

#14. Oberlin College and Conservatory

Oberlin College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

Website Score: 65.24

Oberlin allows students to major in creative writing as an independent discipline. The program is an intense and rigorous course of study. It includes:

Genres include:

Tuition: $60,243 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #16 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #37 20yr Net Return on Investment: $200,000 Graduation Rate: 86%

#15. St. John’s College-Maryland

St. John's College Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers

St. John’s College is a unique institution that only offers one major. That major is liberal arts. The college takes a great books approach as its core. The college does away with lectures and tests in favor of discussion and writing. Students at St. John’s will likely do more writing while earning their bachelor’s degree than students at any other school. And there’s nothing better for a writer than writing. St. John’s College has no religious affiliation. It has two locations. One in Maryland and one in New Mexico. Both campuses teach exactly the same curriculum. Website Score: 62.87

Tuition: $36,170 U.S. News Writing Disciplines Rank: #21 U.S. News Ranking Overall: National Liberal Arts #67 20yr Net Return on Investment: $344,000 Graduation Rate: 61%

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with an bachelor’s degree in creative writing.

The creative writing major does not have a particularly well defined career path. Writers ply their trade across multiple industries. It takes a lot of work and practice to become a proficient writer. And as a creative writing major, thanks to your writing classes, you will have plenty of practice. This means all sorts of opportunities are out there for you. Though they do tend to be ill-defined. Common creative writing jobs include:

Keep in mind, however, most jobs list communication skills as very important. And writing is all about developing communication skills.

Now, that’s not the kind of job most people have in mind when they choose to major in creative writing. Your goal is probably more like writing:

It’s possible to earn a good living writing any of those except poetry. But the road is difficult. You might want to consider going from your creative writing major into an MFA program.

As a graduate student you will extend the amount of time you have to practice your craft. You might even write your breakout novel while still in school. Breaking out early is always a long shot. However, the extra time practicing your craft without major time commitments can be beneficial. Many successful writers these days went the MFA program route.

If you do want to write novels, screenplays etc., many professional writers advise finding a non-writing job. Jobs in science and technology can be good for stimulating your creativity. Many fiction writers find that when writing is their day job, trying to write their novel feels a lot like an extra two to four hours of work every day. Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club and many other well regarded works, advises doing anything that makes you bored. Those hours of boredom, he says, can be great for inspiring creativity. Stephen King worked at a laundry, and as a janitor before he got published. Brandon Sanderson worked the night shift as a hotel concierge. Graduate students are in a great position to experiment with these kinds of jobs while they complete their MFA program.

As you can see, there are many professional options for a creative writing major. Success as a writer does not come easily. On average, writers don’t make much money at all. But there are many rewarding options available to you if you hit on the one that works for you.

Higher education is incredibly expensive. Is it worth the money? How do I pay for it?

Only you can determine whether higher education is worth the financial commitment. Statistically speaking though, college graduates make more money than high school graduates. Though statistics don’t always tell the whole story. There are jobs requiring a degree, even a master’s degree, that don’t pay as well as the trades. The earning potential of a creative writing major is difficult to pin down. Creative writing degrees can open a lot of doors. Some pay really well, while others simply don’t.

As for how to pay for college. Leverage every resource you can to get money. FAFSA is your go-to resource. This and financial aid from your school will provide most of the financial aid you receive. Many of the best colleges featured here may have high tuition. But many/most of them also offer robust financial aid packages. It’s not uncommon for ivy league schools and liberal arts colleges to meet close to 100% of demonstrated financial need.

There are some pretty significant colleges missing from this ranking. Did they not make the cut?

There are many high profile schools with incredible writing programs that didn’t make this ranking. Some simply weren’t featured in the U.S. News ranking that made up the foundational pool for our selections. This is likely because this is a relatively new ranking for U.S. News that they will expand upon once they have the data. Also, we only included schools with an undergraduate student population under 5,000. This means some major universities weren’t included because of their size, such as:

Will an MFA program help me get published?

The MFA program won’t impress publishing houses all by itself. It will help you further develop your craft, find your voice, and improve your writing overall. Many talented authors have completed MFA programs. These can be a big help early on in your career. Think about it this way. Most unpublished writers don’t have any access to professional critique or editors. They have to go off any sparse suggestions for improvement they’re lucky enough to get in their rejection letters. An MFA is an academic year or two of nothing but having your writing critiqued. It will be critiqued by your professors, who especially in good programs, have professional experience. Your fellow graduate students also analyze your work, and you theirs. The value of this should not be underestimated. It’s not a guarantee, but nothing is a guarantee when it comes to becoming a professional author. Additionally, finding time to write becomes more difficult once you start a full-time job. And the writing opportunities you will find in the best MFA programs are pretty rare.

What kinds of extracurricular opportunities would be good for a creative writing major?

Anything that involves writing is great. Check out the school newspaper. Consider working with any literary journals the school might publish. Consider getting a job with your college’s writing lab. Helping other students write better is a great way to improve your own writing! Keep your eyes open for any internship opportunities in the publishing or newspaper industries. Consider competing for any writing awards and contests your school might hold. These are a great way to showcase your original work. Many of the best colleges offer scholarship money as prizes for awards and contests.

Why are there so few bachelor’s degree in creative writing programs in this ranking?

Most colleges offer creative writing as a minor within the English department. There are a few full bachelor of arts in creative writing degrees. There are a couple bachelor of arts in creative writing programs featured in this article. There is a lot of overlap between creative writing and the study of almost any other subject, such as:

Most creative writing classes focus on writing skills. This leaves a lot of room to allow students to study other subjects to complement their writing skills. So even if a program doesn’t lead to a bachelor of arts in creative writing, it can still be a great writing program. A creative writing minor can be a great choice even if you aren’t an English major.

Other articles of interest:

By Adam Birch Updated March 2022

Gravatar Icon

2023 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in America

Best programs

Social scene

1-25 of 325 results

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA •

Sophomore: Currently reaching near the middle of my time here, and this school truly works you to the bone. The baseline of this place is that everyone is very smart. Some are decently smart and work hard enough to get in, others come in doing Olympiads from when they were 5 years old. The students are very diverse. Some come in "normal", others finally get to truly express the weird and unique that they've been suppressing their whole lives. The campus is extremely welcoming and you really get to be who you want to be; it's very beautiful. Each dorm has an extant history and culture; you can automatically learn about someone by what dorm they live in. The academics are exceedingly difficult by content and pace. The problem set difficulty are elevated beyond a typical school's, and they force you to collaborate with others. Everyone must collaborate. You're forced to learn time management skills. I was finally able to satisfy my love for learning here. Truly an amazing and unique school! ... Read 652 reviews

Acceptance rate 7%

Net price $19,998

SAT range 1510-1580

#1 Best Colleges in America .

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

652 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Currently reaching near the middle of my time here, and this school truly works you to the bone. The baseline of this place is that everyone is very smart. Some are decently smart and work hard... The students are very diverse. Some come in "normal", others finally get to truly express the weird and unique that they've been suppressing their whole lives. The campus is extremely welcoming and... The academics are exceedingly difficult by content and pace. The problem set difficulty are elevated beyond a typical school's, and they force you to collaborate with others. Everyone must... I was finally able to satisfy my love for learning here. Truly an amazing and unique school! .

Read 652 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $19,998 ,

SAT Range : 1510-1580 ,

Brown University

Providence, RI •

Niche User: I am currently enrolled as an incoming freshman at Brown University but I have been fortunate to participate in two of their pre-college programs. Overall, the academic resources and opportunities to explore STEM-based passions are incredibly diverse and accessible. The campus has amazing faculty that are engaged in the subject, both in and out of the classroom. They provide insightful feedback and support, especially as I had little experience doing lab work in high school. Outside the classroom, there were countless facilities and events that covered a wide variety of interests. These helped me foster a strong sense of community as I was able to connect with peers of similar likes during these events. I love how interconnected the university is with the larger city of Providence, which makes both professional and recreational engagement more accessible. Lastly, the Brown community was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Everyone there was proactive and engaged! ... Read 1,052 reviews

Acceptance rate 8%

Net price $27,659

SAT range 1440-1560

#9 Best Colleges in America .

Blue checkmark.

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

1052 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Niche User says I am currently enrolled as an incoming freshman at Brown University but I have been fortunate to participate in two of their pre-college programs. Overall, the academic resources and opportunities to... Outside the classroom, there were countless facilities and events that covered a wide variety of interests. These helped me foster a strong sense of community as I was able to connect with peers of... Lastly, the Brown community was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Everyone there was proactive and engaged! .

Read 1052 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 8% ,

Net Price : $27,659 ,

SAT Range : 1440-1560 ,

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH •

Junior: I am a transfer student athlete and am planning to attend Dartmouth in the fall. What I loved on my visit was the family atmosphere amongst the faculty and the close relationships they had with their students. I believe that it is important to put an emphasis on undergraduate education and Dartmouth does that the best in comparison to any other school in the nation. From an athletic standpoint I feel like Dartmouth has all the tools and facilities to help me achieve my athletic goals. Coming from an institution that gives athletic scholarships, Ivy leagues do not have that availability. I felt like the experiences and relationships that I would build would make it worth it to apply for scholarships online. Thank you! ... Read 722 reviews

Acceptance rate 9%

Net price $24,525

#10 Best Colleges in America .

HANOVER, NH ,

722 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I am a transfer student athlete and am planning to attend Dartmouth in the fall. What I loved on my visit was the family atmosphere amongst the faculty and the close relationships they had with... .

Read 722 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 9% ,

Net Price : $24,525 ,

Concorde Career College - Garden Grove

Garden Grove, CA •

Junior: I am currently attending the dental hygiene program at Concorde Career College. It is truly an amazing school that do everything they can to make you succeed. I recommend this school in search of any program that matches your goal. ... Read 22 reviews

Acceptance rate 98%

Net price $20,731

Sponsored Result, Concorde Career College - Garden Grove

GARDEN GROVE, CA ,

22 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I am currently attending the dental hygiene program at Concorde Career College. It is truly an amazing school that do everything they can to make you succeed. I recommend this school in search of any... .

Read 22 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 98% ,

Net Price : $20,731 ,

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA •

Junior: Work hard, play hard! That’s life at Penn. Strengths - Great approachable Professors, almost any class or activity you can think of, wonderful diversity, beautiful campus. Lots of opportunities to study abroad. Greek life is active, but not necessary to have a rich social life. Tuition, room and board are expensive but there’s lots of aid available. Highly recommended, but very competitive admission rate ( around 8% ). Suggest applying Early Decision if Penn’s your first choice ( 18% acceptance rate ). ... Read 1,309 reviews

Net price $24,167

SAT range 1460-1570

#11 Best Colleges in America .

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

1309 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Work hard, play hard! That’s life at Penn. Strengths - Great approachable Professors, almost any class or activity you can think of, wonderful diversity, beautiful campus. Lots of opportunities... .

Read 1309 reviews.

Net Price : $24,167 ,

SAT Range : 1460-1570 ,

Columbia University

New York, NY •

Sophomore: I liked that there are endless academic opportunities available; you will never run out! Food is average and oftentimes the lines in the dining halls take an annoying amount of time. The dorms in my experience have been pretty nice, and some have crazy amazing views of the city. Students overall are pretty nice/polite here but there in definitely an air of competition in certain interest groups. Many of the general lectures courses leave a lot to be desired and didn't give me any special ivy league education that I couldn't have gotten elsewhere. However, that being said, I've also taken some incredible smaller courses where I've been able to build a relationship with my professor and learn a lot from them. Also make sure you are somewhat interested in what the core has to off because its a huge part of your education at Columbia. ... Read 1,301 reviews

Net price $22,126

#12 Best Colleges in America .

NEW YORK, NY ,

1301 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I liked that there are endless academic opportunities available; you will never run out! Food is average and oftentimes the lines in the dining halls take an annoying amount of time. The dorms in my... .

Read 1301 reviews.

Net Price : $22,126 ,

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL •

Junior: Northwestern is a wonderful academic institution. The professors and one of a kind programs are incredibly engaging. Northwestern provides students with so many opportunities within their undergraduate career. The campus is in an ideal location with its proximity to Chicago and lakefront access. Additionally, Northwestern has hundreds of clubs that fit any and all interests. The only downsides to Northwestern include the competitive atmosphere, cold winters, and lackluster party scene. If you are someone who is willing to brave the cold and explore Chicago for your fun and parties, then Northwestern is the place for you! ... Read 1,448 reviews

Net price $28,344

SAT range 1430-1550

#14 Best Colleges in America .

EVANSTON, IL ,

1448 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Northwestern is a wonderful academic institution. The professors and one of a kind programs are incredibly engaging. Northwestern provides students with so many opportunities within their... .

Read 1448 reviews.

Net Price : $28,344 ,

SAT Range : 1430-1550 ,

Washington University in St. Louis

Saint Louis, MO •

Alum: I am thankful for my undergraduate experience at Washington University in St. Louis. The college has great connections for post-grad opportunities in multiple fields - business, medicine, research, engineering. I was easily able to switch between the Arts & Sciences program and the Business School at the end of my sophomore year. There is a huge focus on medicine, so even for other career paths there are healthcare adjacent offerings (e.g. Healthcare Management, Bio Medical Engineering, Global Health, Psychology/Neuroscience/Philosophy). The brand name and resources do carry for other non-health related professions too. The classwork can be tough so it's best you find out which paths are a good fit for you in terms of academic rigor, class size, and teaching style. Your counselors can help with this. Good size of the school - not too big to get lost, but not too small to know everyone and the campus is very very beautiful! I suggest visiting and talking to alum to learn more! ... Read 1,524 reviews

Acceptance rate 16%

Net price $27,233

SAT range 1480-1560

#15 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT LOUIS, MO ,

1524 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I am thankful for my undergraduate experience at Washington University in St. Louis. The college has great connections for post-grad opportunities in multiple fields - business, medicine, research,... Good size of the school - not too big to get lost, but not too small to know everyone and the campus is very very beautiful! I suggest visiting and talking to alum to learn more! .

Read 1524 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 16% ,

Net Price : $27,233 ,

SAT Range : 1480-1560 ,

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

Sophomore: UChicago certainly lives up to the rumors of its academic rigor but it pays off because each of my classes has been full of highly engaged students excited to study and discuss the material! Unfortunately for students not very very well versed in time-management, the academic work really can take over your life and fulfill the “where fun goes to die” catch-phrase for this school so it requires some serious practice to balance fun and work. In terms of on-campus living, their “Hogwarts” style housing makes for an amazing built-in community even as a freshman. I love living in the dorms and plan to stay through graduation! I’d recommend this college only to students who genuinely enjoy dedicating over 50% of their time to their academics. ... Read 1,224 reviews

Net price $36,584

SAT range 1500-1570

#16 Best Colleges in America .

CHICAGO, IL ,

1224 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says UChicago certainly lives up to the rumors of its academic rigor but it pays off because each of my classes has been full of highly engaged students excited to study and discuss the material!... I’d recommend this college only to students who genuinely enjoy dedicating over 50% of their time to their academics. .

Read 1224 reviews.

Net Price : $36,584 ,

SAT Range : 1500-1570 ,

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD •

Senior: John’s Hopkins is a great university with wonderful teaching staff and TA’s that are committed to helping their students succeed. I would highly recommend STEM students to apply as the engineering, computer science and other non pre-med curriculum is world class too. The smaller classes really provide a more conducive learning experience. There are also many things to do in Baltimore and living so close to Washington DC provides other opportunities to explore. The Hopkins Homewood campus is one of the most beautiful among all the campuses I toured before applying. As a top ten nationally ranked university you can’t go wrong! ... Read 1,367 reviews

Acceptance rate 11%

Net price $25,241

SAT range 1470-1560

#21 Best Colleges in America .

BALTIMORE, MD ,

1367 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says John’s Hopkins is a great university with wonderful teaching staff and TA’s that are committed to helping their students succeed. I would highly recommend STEM students to apply as the engineering,... .

Read 1367 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 11% ,

Net Price : $25,241 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1560 ,

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA •

Alum: I am alumni of Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture. Many people don't understand the ethos of the school, but it's a consortium of conservatories for aspiring writers,architects, engineers, painters, industrial designers, computer programmers, etc. Unlike other schools, there's an explicit professional focus. The workload is intense, but the culture is collaborative. If this environment suits your temperament and aspirations, the benefit is tremendous! Our professors used to say, "If you can handle the work here, you'll find your professional life easy." The school motto says it all, "My Heart is in the Work." ... Read 1,440 reviews

Acceptance rate 17%

Net price $36,983

SAT range 1460-1560

#22 Best Colleges in America .

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

1440 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I am alumni of Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture. Many people don't understand the ethos of the school, but it's a consortium of conservatories for aspiring writers,architects, engineers,... .

Read 1440 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 17% ,

Net Price : $36,983 ,

SAT Range : 1460-1560 ,

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI •

Sophomore: Michigan is truly the best of all worlds! World class academics? Check! Top tier athletics? Check! Great party scene? Check! It is so easy to get involved with a wide variety of interests. There's more clubs than I can name here. Opportunities are plentiful, especially involving research. STEM majors especially can easily get involved with the hospital and research facilities nearby. Complaints: diversity should be better, and some of the first-year facilities are average. That being said, this feels like a very accepting school compared to the surrounding areas, and most people tend to be very open minded. Otherwise, Ann Arbor is a great town. Campus feels safe to walk around, even at night, and the directly surrounding areas generally don't have issues. Honestly, I can't speak highly enough about how great this school is. I can't imagine going anywhere else. Go Blue! ... Read 4,515 reviews

Acceptance rate 26%

Net price $17,832

SAT range 1340-1520

#25 Best Colleges in America .

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4515 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Michigan is truly the best of all worlds! World class academics? Check! Top tier athletics? Check! Great party scene? Check! It is so easy to get involved with a wide variety of interests. There's more clubs than I can name here. Opportunities are plentiful, especially involving research. STEM majors especially can easily get involved with the hospital and research facilities nearby. Complaints: diversity should be better, and some of the first-year facilities are average. That being said, this feels like a very accepting school compared to the surrounding areas, and most people... Otherwise, Ann Arbor is a great town. Campus feels safe to walk around, even at night, and the directly surrounding areas generally don't have issues. Honestly, I can't speak highly enough about how great this school is. I can't imagine going anywhere else. Go Blue! .

Read 4515 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 26% ,

Net Price : $17,832 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1520 ,

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA •

Sophomore: For context- current sophomore who started at USC online, majoring in Communications but has taken classes from across disciplines -Academics: overall good but definitely some terrible professors who either have favoritism, are unclear with expectations, or bad w grading. But the majority of professors are really good -Environment: if you're intimidated by rich, judgmental people, this is not the place for you. A lot of the culture is exclusionary towards ppl who work or who don't partake in certain activities (ex: Greek life) But when you get through the superficial aspect you can meet some really awesome, interesting friends! -facilities: very very nice- great gyms, dining halls, dorms Overall: a great school with a lot of resources, so be sure to look into your major specific resources bc they offer so much! Just be warned that it's not the easiest place to go to if you don't fit a certain mold. ... Read 3,918 reviews

Net price $39,759

SAT range 1340-1530

#28 Best Colleges in America .

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

3918 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says For context- current sophomore who started at USC online, majoring in Communications but has taken classes from across disciplines -Academics: overall good but definitely some terrible professors who either have favoritism, are unclear with expectations, or bad w grading. But the majority of professors are really good -Environment: if you're intimidated by rich, judgmental people, this is not the place for you. A lot of the culture is exclusionary towards ppl who work or who don't partake in certain activities... -facilities: very very nice- great gyms, dining halls, dorms Overall: a great school with a lot of resources, so be sure to look into your major specific resources bc they offer so much! Just be warned that it's not the easiest place to go to if you don't fit... .

Read 3918 reviews.

Net Price : $39,759 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1530 ,

Emory University

Atlanta, GA •

Graduate Student: I loved my experience as a graduate student! I attended the public health program and received a Master's degree from this esteemed school. I learned from professors enmeshed in relevant research and current events. The school's community partnerships and proximity to the CDC allowed its students easy access to many professional opportunities, especially for those interested in infectious disease. Emory provides a beautiful campus and a variety of study spaces for its students. This university may want to work on developing a more distinct student culture -- this is one of the few areas where the school may be lacking. ... Read 1,569 reviews

Acceptance rate 19%

Net price $25,672

SAT range 1380-1530

#34 Best Colleges in America .

ATLANTA, GA ,

1569 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I loved my experience as a graduate student! I attended the public health program and received a Master's degree from this esteemed school. I learned from professors enmeshed in relevant research and... .

Read 1569 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 19% ,

Net Price : $25,672 ,

SAT Range : 1380-1530 ,

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA •

Senior: Pretty good! Great environment for learning and fostering a well-rounded perspective on the world. Faculty and your peers will have the greatest influence on your experience, so if you choose well, you will definitely be satisfied. ... Read 614 reviews

Acceptance rate 20%

Net price $21,614

SAT range 1350-1520

#36 Best Colleges in America .

WELLESLEY, MA ,

614 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Pretty good! Great environment for learning and fostering a well-rounded perspective on the world. Faculty and your peers will have the greatest influence on your experience, so if you choose well,... .

Read 614 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 20% ,

Net Price : $21,614 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1520 ,

University of Texas - Austin

Austin, TX •

Sophomore: I think a lot of the campus resources are great, and I love my classes so far. A lot of the student organizations that you can join have long waitlists, so it’s good to plan early on the type of extracurricular environment you’d like to be a part of. The buildings on campus range from stellar architectural masterpieces to modern works of art. There are very few things lacking, but part of the package deal of living in Austin is the construction. The whole city, including a lot of campus as of now, is hard to navigate with all of the work being done. It’s very important to do the absolute utmost asap, as the course load and competitive environment encourage daily task building. Doing work as soon as possible is practically the only way to be able to experience social events. If you’ve studies in a smaller environment, especially for intro classes, you’ll run into some kinks trying to adapt to the larger class sizes. What starts here changes the world! ... Read 6,520 reviews

Acceptance rate 32%

Net price $16,892

SAT range 1210-1470

#46 Best Colleges in America .

AUSTIN, TX ,

6520 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I think a lot of the campus resources are great, and I love my classes so far. A lot of the student organizations that you can join have long waitlists, so it’s good to plan early on the type of... .

Read 6520 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 32% ,

Net Price : $16,892 ,

SAT Range : 1210-1470 ,

Haverford College

Haverford, PA •

Freshman: Haverford is a great place! This is very cliche but the community is amazing, the professors are supportive and very knowledgable, and the atmosphere is welcoming! I chose Haverford because of the unique Honor Code and the Quaker Consortium. At Haverford, the students have a lot of trust (we have take home exams, self-proctored finals, and we can even change the rules of the school). The Quaker Consortium allows Haverford students to take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and the University of Pennsylvania! There are endless opportunities and I've made great memories. The only complaint I have is the social scene and things to do around campus are limited. Otherwise, the atmosphere is amazing and you will receive a great education here! ... Read 258 reviews

Acceptance rate 18%

Net price $25,215

SAT range 1360-1520

#51 Best Colleges in America .

HAVERFORD, PA ,

258 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Haverford is a great place! This is very cliche but the community is amazing, the professors are supportive and very knowledgable, and the atmosphere is welcoming! I chose Haverford because of the... .

Read 258 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 18% ,

Net Price : $25,215 ,

SAT Range : 1360-1520 ,

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL •

Senior: Miami has been a great place the past few years for me. As a transfer student, coming in not knowing anyone, I have met many types of different students from hard working backgrounds. The professors are very much committed to getting to know everyone in their class, and not just going through the motions as a mundane robot you see at some larger schools. In my experience the average class size outside of your one or two 100 level class is between 5-30 students. The campus is beautiful. Everywhere you look is palm trees and clear skies (with the exception of your occasional rain shower) the university does a nice job maintaining the buildings and surrounding vegetation. Food wise the options aren’t the greatest. In the past few years there has been an attempt to bring in healthier options, but for the most part the dinning hall and food court include your average Starbucks, subway, panda, so on and forth. Safety campus is very safe Never had any issues. Overall a great school! ... Read 2,980 reviews

Acceptance rate 33%

Net price $31,726

SAT range 1250-1420

#57 Best Colleges in America .

CORAL GABLES, FL ,

2980 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Miami has been a great place the past few years for me. As a transfer student, coming in not knowing anyone, I have met many types of different students from hard working backgrounds. The professors... The campus is beautiful. Everywhere you look is palm trees and clear skies (with the exception of your occasional rain shower) the university does a nice job maintaining the buildings and surrounding... Food wise the options aren’t the greatest. In the past few years there has been an attempt to bring in healthier options, but for the most part the dinning hall and food court include your average... Safety campus is very safe Never had any issues. Overall a great school! .

Read 2980 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 33% ,

Net Price : $31,726 ,

SAT Range : 1250-1420 ,

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY •

Freshman: It's an amazing campus with beautiful and kind professors, students, staff, etc. Everyone is willing to help you and no one leaves you hanging. I'd really recommend checking out this college to see if it's for you! ... Read 477 reviews

Net price $23,936

SAT range 1380-1510

#58 Best Colleges in America .

CLINTON, NY ,

477 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says It's an amazing campus with beautiful and kind professors, students, staff, etc. Everyone is willing to help you and no one leaves you hanging. I'd really recommend checking out this college to see... .

Read 477 reviews.

Net Price : $23,936 ,

SAT Range : 1380-1510 ,

University Park, PA •

Junior: I chose Penn State University because of the multitude of research and other science-related opportunities that are afforded to you when attending a large university. I also love the overall atmosphere regarding both my studies and social life. Regarding my studies, there are so many resources available to help me when needed including tutoring services, study groups, and more. When I'm not focusing on my studies, there are many events that I can go to for fun including fairs, lectures, concerts, and more. I have not given Penn State all five stars because they offer little financial aid to middle class incomes, however, I knew how much tuition was when accepting and was prepared to take out loans. Overall, love attending Penn State because of all the educational opportunities and fun events! ... Read 7,313 reviews

Acceptance rate 56%

Net price $26,151

SAT range 1160-1360

#64 Best Colleges in America .

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA ,

7313 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I chose Penn State University because of the multitude of research and other science-related opportunities that are afforded to you when attending a large university. I also love the overall... .

Read 7313 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 56% ,

Net Price : $26,151 ,

SAT Range : 1160-1360 ,

Colby College

Waterville, ME •

Freshman: Colby is a really great school, and all that I was looking for academically. While the workload for some of my classes took a little bit of transitioning towards, I feel like I am being challenged while also learning a lot. The school gives great financial aid and funding, which is a huge advantage too. Personally, I like the smaller campus size. It's easy to navigate and get around, but there's still a pretty wide expanse so you don't feel suffocated. However, because it is a small campus, there isn't much to do outside of events being held. Downtown is also pretty barren, and there's nothing to do. The shuttle is a bit limited, and only goes downtown and to Walmart. Having a car would be very nice here! If you love nature and the outdoors, it's perfect here. There is a lack of diversity, but also more diversity than I was expecting from a college in the middle of nowhere Maine. ... Read 554 reviews

Acceptance rate 10%

Net price $18,552

SAT range 1380-1520

#67 Best Colleges in America .

WATERVILLE, ME ,

554 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Colby is a really great school, and all that I was looking for academically. While the workload for some of my classes took a little bit of transitioning towards, I feel like I am being challenged... Personally, I like the smaller campus size. It's easy to navigate and get around, but there's still a pretty wide expanse so you don't feel suffocated. However, because it is a small campus, there... There is a lack of diversity, but also more diversity than I was expecting from a college in the middle of nowhere Maine. .

Read 554 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 10% ,

Net Price : $18,552 ,

SAT Range : 1380-1520 ,

University of Washington

Seattle, WA •

Junior: Love the campus! The coursework is rigorous no matter your major, but there's tons of classes that are so niche and interesting to explore! This school will give you a challenge for sure! Having to apply to your major is a huge downside-- there's a decent chance you might not get to study what you want if the major is competitive and your GPA and statements aren't competitive enough (there's just too many students). Similarly, you can't take major classes until you get accepted into the major (which usually isn't until your junior year), so that can delay the graduation process if you don't schedule and plan your degree right. Because of the large student body, everyone is clawing for everything-- registration for classes is a nightmare, long lines at dining halls and events, etc. (you can expect to sometimes wait more than an hour for food, applying to housing/registration takes hours as well because the server is being filled with so many students). ... Read 4,522 reviews

Net price $9,661

SAT range 1200-1470

#70 Best Colleges in America .

SEATTLE, WA ,

4522 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Love the campus! The coursework is rigorous no matter your major, but there's tons of classes that are so niche and interesting to explore! This school will give you a challenge for sure! Having to... Because of the large student body, everyone is clawing for everything-- registration for classes is a nightmare, long lines at dining halls and events, etc. (you can expect to sometimes wait more... .

Read 4522 reviews.

Net Price : $9,661 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1470 ,

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY •

Sophomore: I came to this school without having visited campus at all, and I'm so grateful that my move-in day was when I first got to experience it, with all my fellow freshman around me. People think, erroneously, that Rochester (both the city and the university) are boring places to be, and I would agree only insofar as to say that those who want things to come to them, might be bored. The city has so many amazing restaurants, venues, and sites, but you have to take that first step of getting on the bus to go see them. At an academically rigorous school like UR, it can be hard freshman year to remember that life exists outside of academics, and especially outside of STEM. UR has a vibrant arts community, though, not even including Eastman (which has student and professional concerts alike). Everyone finds their niche pretty easily once they look for it, because there is genuinely something for every type of person. And, everyone honestly supports each other all the time! ... Read 1,570 reviews

Acceptance rate 35%

Net price $36,254

SAT range 1330-1510

#72 Best Colleges in America .

ROCHESTER, NY ,

1570 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I came to this school without having visited campus at all, and I'm so grateful that my move-in day was when I first got to experience it, with all my fellow freshman around me. People think,... .

Read 1570 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 35% ,

Net Price : $36,254 ,

SAT Range : 1330-1510 ,

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN •

Freshman: So far, I have really enjoyed my time at Purdue University. My courses have allowed me to gain hands-on experience even in my freshman year. There are clubs for practically anything you could dream of, and those clubs have already allowed me to have incredible opportunities! One club even allowed me to participate in bird banding- who can say they've done that? Purdue creates an inclusive environment that fosters learning and allows students to grow into impressive adults. ... Read 4,947 reviews

Acceptance rate 67%

Net price $12,294

SAT range 1170-1420

#79 Best Colleges in America .

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN ,

4947 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says So far, I have really enjoyed my time at Purdue University. My courses have allowed me to gain hands-on experience even in my freshman year. There are clubs for practically anything you could dream... .

Read 4947 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 67% ,

Net Price : $12,294 ,

SAT Range : 1170-1420 ,

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX •

Sophomore: Though SMU may have its faults at times, overall it has been an incredibly welcoming environment that consistently pushes me to be a better overall student, through its rigorous academic courses and ready-to-assist professors, along with the numerous resources it provides for students of all types. Being part of multicultural organizations has really helped me grow as a person because I get to see people who are just like me in different ways. In addition, being a part of the Rotunda Scholars program has given me immense opportunities through tutoring, study sessions, jobs, connections, and overall ability to perform well. ... Read 1,535 reviews

Acceptance rate 53%

Net price $41,444

SAT range 1250-1450

#82 Best Colleges in America .

DALLAS, TX ,

1535 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Though SMU may have its faults at times, overall it has been an incredibly welcoming environment that consistently pushes me to be a better overall student, through its rigorous academic courses and... .

Read 1535 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 53% ,

Net Price : $41,444 ,

SAT Range : 1250-1450 ,

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN •

Alum: Over my 25 years as an Academic Physician, I can say with confidence that my Mac education enabled me to be the doctor I am. Mac taught me to think critically, consider others empathetically, and stay curious about the world around me. These are the factors that truly drive my everyday practice, research, and teaching/mentoring of medical students. Mac today is even more solid than a generation ago, maintaining its excellence in teaching while supplementing with hands on internship opportunities. Thank you Macalester! ... Read 457 reviews

Acceptance rate 39%

Net price $35,589

SAT range 1280-1450

#84 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT PAUL, MN ,

457 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Over my 25 years as an Academic Physician, I can say with confidence that my Mac education enabled me to be the doctor I am. Mac taught me to think critically, consider others empathetically, and... .

Read 457 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 39% ,

Net Price : $35,589 ,

SAT Range : 1280-1450 ,

Chapman University

Orange, CA •

Freshman: So far it's good! The departments you reach out to reply quickly and answer your questions; they really do try to provide the best help they can. Professors are friendly and help you with questions and the path you are on. Students are friendly (though I have yet to make a friend who I feel really connected with because being a first year is hard, I have many acquaintances). Many higher up students that I've talked with are so friendly and answer any/all questions I have on their major, courses, etc and genuinely aren't bothered to answer questions. Many events at Chapman include music/theatre events (students are SO talented) sports events, connection events, and friendly clubs. Though it is hard to navigate your first year in college, I've gotten great support from professors, students who answer any questions I have, on campus job bosses, and more. Chapman does a pretty good job of listening to student concerns (getting new courses, free masks, free parking, new areas of study). ... Read 2,228 reviews

Acceptance rate 58%

Net price $44,327

SAT range 1170-1350

Sponsored Result, Chapman University

ORANGE, CA ,

2228 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says So far it's good! The departments you reach out to reply quickly and answer your questions; they really do try to provide the best help they can. Professors are friendly and help you with questions... .

Read 2228 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 58% ,

Net Price : $44,327 ,

SAT Range : 1170-1350 ,

Emerson College

Boston, MA •

Sophomore: Emerson College is a hub of students that are open-minded, hard-working, and endlessly creative. The students and professors are often friendly and accepting, and the campus being in the heart of Boston would be fun for any college student looking to explore a historical and buzzing city. The only real downside to Emerson in my experience has been the increasing cost of tuition. If you come here, make sure you're invested in a career that points toward the arts or communication to get your money's worth! ... Read 1,129 reviews

Acceptance rate 41%

Net price $47,594

SAT range 1190-1380

Sponsored Result, Emerson College

BOSTON, MA ,

1129 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Emerson College is a hub of students that are open-minded, hard-working, and endlessly creative. The students and professors are often friendly and accepting, and the campus being in the heart of... .

Read 1129 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 41% ,

Net Price : $47,594 ,

SAT Range : 1190-1380 ,

Showing results 1 through 25 of 325

Writing in the Disciplines

These colleges typically make the writing process a priority at all levels of instruction and across

These colleges typically make the writing process a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to produce and refine various forms of writing for different audiences in different disciplines. In spring and summer 2022, we invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 15 institutions with stellar examples of writing in the disciplines. Colleges and universities that received 10 or more nominations are ranked here. Read the methodology »

To unlock full rankings, SAT/ACT scores and more, sign up for the U.S. News College Compass !

colleges with creative writing minors

Brown University

Providence, RI

At Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 80 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.

(fall 2021)

SAT, GPA and More

colleges with creative writing minors

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

The University of Iowa offers top-notch academic programming in more than 100 areas. Students looking to hone their leadership skills have many options, too: They can enroll in the LeaderShape Institute, a six-day getaway workshop; or participate in one of the many programs offered through the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership, including arts and entertainment, and multicultural programs. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but about 95 percent choose to do so. Campus life may pose a challenge to tobacco users, as Iowa is a smoke-free campus. Students have more than 500 clubs and organizations from which to choose, and close to 10 percent of students go Greek as members of the school's more than 50 fraternities and sororities. Sports are another big focus of campus life; even in the competitive NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, the Iowa Hawkeyes are notorious players. Four blocks from campus is Iowa City, a Midwestern metropolis that has been recognized among the nation’s best for its scenery, greenery and sustainable energy efforts.

(out-of-state)

colleges with creative writing minors

Yale University

New Haven, CT

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.

colleges with creative writing minors

Cornell University

Cornell University, a private school in Ithaca, New York, has 14 colleges and schools. Each admits its own students, though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. The university has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus.

colleges with creative writing minors

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.

colleges with creative writing minors

Carleton College

Northfield, MN

Carleton College is a private school in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carls, as its students are known, have about 35 majors to choose from and more than 170 organizations to check out.

colleges with creative writing minors

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

About 10 miles outside of Philadelphia is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.

colleges with creative writing minors

Amherst College

Amherst, MA

Amherst College, a private school in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Because Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, students can also take courses at Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts—Amherst.

colleges with creative writing minors

Duke University

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

colleges with creative writing minors

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.

colleges with creative writing minors

Logo

Have you dreamed of starting a writing career since you were a kid? If your answer is yes, then listen up! 

You need more than just a natural talent for the written word to break into this industry. Choosing a robust writing or English program could be the best thing you do to kickstart your career. But with thousands of schools across the country, how do you know which one is the right pick? 

Don’t stress, we’ve done the research so you can focus on writing the next Great American Novel. 😉

Here are 25 of the best US colleges for aspiring writers!

1. Emory University

There’s a good reason why Emory seems to be part of every list of writing colleges — it has both a holistic and unique approach to developing great writers. The college’s program allows you to develop your technique through intimate reading sessions with notable authors and writing contests that could seriously beef up your portfolio. 

The university also has a beautiful, lush campus that’s perfect for anyone looking to meditate their way out of writer’s block. Have we mentioned that the state of Georgia is as vibrant and spirited as it gets? Whether it’s food, sports, or interesting traditions — your environment is bound to inspire you!

photo-of-african-american-student-at-writers-college-writing-in-book

2. Columbia University

You wouldn’t expect anything less than a top-tier creative writing program from an Ivy League school like Columbia — so it’s a good thing the New York-based college lives up to the expectation! 

Since this university has been home to big names like J.D. Salinger, Langston Hughes, Eudora Welty, Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg, be prepared for a rigorous curriculum . Columbia has intensive writing workshops, fellowships, and teaching opportunities to bring out the best in you. 

On top of that, the city is filled with publishing houses and has a buzzing community of talented authors, something that you can take advantage of when you graduate!

3. Northwestern University

A faculty roster filled with acclaimed authors has solidified Northwestern’s claim as one of the finest writing college programs in the US. When you have published writers such as Sheila Donohue, Rachel Jamison Webster, and Chris Abani dissecting different literary genres and helping you perfect your craft, it’s easy (and downright exciting) to show up to early morning classes. 

Getting into this undergraduate program will rely on the quality of your submitted manuscript. But once you’re in, there’s so much to look forward to, like the school’s Annual Writers’ Festival . This campus event allows students to interact with three guest writers and attend public readings, conferences, and writing classes.

4. Oberlin College

Collaboration and creativity are fostered at this small liberal arts college, where creative writing has become an independent academic discipline .

Oberlin features dozens of courses designed to help new writers flourish, no matter their backgrounds or competencies, such as race and poetic innovation , digital storytelling , and false documents . Whether you’ve loved writing all your life or found a passion for it more recently, no one will be left behind in this program. 

Another upside of choosing this writing college is its RISE opportunities , which offer students access to exciting research openings, internships, and part-time jobs around the world.  

5. Hamilton College

Who says small colleges won’t get you anywhere? Hamilton prides itself on being home to literary great Ezra Pound alone. But it’s the school’s emphasis on small-sized classes, where the exchange and development of ideas are heightened, that produces proficient writing majors. 

The arts are truly celebrated at this writing college, with comprehensive courses tackling social and institutional hierarchies, history, and intermedia. Visit the school’s performing arts series to witness your fellow artists do their thing, whether that’s dance, music, or theater. 

photo-of-college-student-creative-writing-at-laptop

6. Stanford University

When you think of Stanford, a degree in research or engineering is usually what comes to mind. But surprise! The college also has an incredible creative writing program, thanks to the efforts of 1972 Pulitzer Prize winner Wallace Stegner. 

Stanford’s Stegner Fellowship is a unique writing program offering 10 two-year fellowships (split between fiction and poetry) to fellows as they undergo intensive workshops to master their craft. While you won’t get a degree out of it, you will receive a stipend, and tuition is shouldered by the university.

This college’s undergraduate writing program also features three minor tracks in prose, poetry, and fiction into film, with courses like graphic novel writing, fiction into film, and young adult fiction offered each year. 

7. University of Iowa

If there’s one thing that will make the University of Iowa your top choice for writing colleges, it’ll be the Iowa Writers Workshop . 

This program was the first creative writing program on offer here in the US, with notable alumni like poets Dylan Thomas ( Do not go gentle into that good night ) and Robert Frost ( The Road Not Taken ). If you aren’t convinced yet, The Atlantic has called this two-year graduate degree “the best-known, most-established writing program in the country.” 

This university is also filled with impressive campus opportunities that can bring color to your academic journey, such as the Summer Writing Festival and the Patient Voice Project .

8. Dartmouth College

What do Shonda Rhimes ( Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal ) and Mindy Kaling ( The Mindy Project, The Office ) have in common? Great writing careers — and the fact that they both studied at Dartmouth College.

The New Hampshire-based school created its comprehensive English and creative writing program with only one thing in mind: to help students become capable writers and build their confidence step by step. 

Dartmouth has a nice selection of writing courses that differ each semester and creative writing awards , including the Sidney Cox Memorial Prize and the Academy of American Poets Prize, that undergraduates can compete for. 

9. Brown University

If you want to learn screenwriting, digital and cross-disciplinary writing, and much more, Brown is the way to go! But apart from having a stellar graduate and undergraduate curriculum , Brown also boasts a vibrant literary community that provides students with a continuous stream of readings, festivals, and performances. 

Its strong liberal foundation exposes emerging writers to relevant voices and perspectives in the current literary landscape. On top of that, Brown also has courses tackling new media such as political drama, electronic writing, and innovative narrative.

photo-of-three-college-writing students-in-discussion

10. Washington University in St. Louis

Another excellent option for aspiring writers is to earn a Certificate in Creative Writing or join the MFA program at Washington University. Why? Because you could be taught by National Book Award finalists, Guggenheim Fellows, and National Book Critics Circle Award winners!

Admissions to this college writing program can be pretty competitive since they only accept five students per track (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry). But once you’re in, you’ll become part of a close-knit community that can still be felt even after you graduate. 

The campus also has plenty to offer, including a well-known student newspaper and a prime location connecting you to Forest Park and local museums, perfect for when you need a little break from your studies.

11. Johns Hopkins University

The writing program at Johns Hopkins is a hidden gem. Sure, the Maryland-based university is known for its STEM-related disciplines, but it also has a great and flexible curriculum for students looking to master storytelling through the written word.

While challenging, courses at Johns Hopkins are designed to squeeze the best out of you. This has been proven by the sea of prolific poets, novelists, and screenwriters produced by the school, namely A Nightmare on Elm Street ’s Wes Craven, Growing Up ’s Russell Baker, and Love Medicine ’s Louise Erdrich.

12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Are you surprised that MIT has a solid writing program on top of its reputation for excellence in engineering and physical sciences? The top-tier school can also offer you the best of both worlds with its graduate program in science writing . 

The curriculum introduces students to fundamental research and reporting skills as they learn how to make science accessible to the masses. This highly-selective program gives you a chance to publish science-related works, including documentaries, data visualization projects, radio shows, and long-form content.

What’s even better is that the lively Cambridge campus is a great place to arouse your creativity and quite simply write better. Plus, the 22 institutional libraries found in the city offer a good respite for literature lovers or hard-working science researchers.

13. Colorado College

Get ready for an intensive, multi-level approach to writing with Colorado College. Thanks to its innovative block plan structure , where students only face one class for three-and-a-half weeks, you will quickly master each discipline that interests you. 

Feeling low on creativity? Take a walk at one of the seven national parks nearby, where you can find secluded spaces perfect for reflection and discussion (even if you’re by yourself).

photo-of-college-student-writing-in-notebook-in-park

14. Brandeis University

If you want to get a handle on creative writing, your work must go through the wringer so it can improve. At Brandeis, you’ll be exposed to a rigorous curriculum and a renowned writing center to help you get started.

As soon as you get into the college’s creative writing program , take advantage of one-on-one sessions with supportive graduate-student consultants. With this peer-to-peer appointment, you can get your work dissected and sort out any writing issues with your structure, style, punctuation, or syntax. 

15. University of Virginia

For writers hoping to concentrate their studies on poetry or prose, the University of Virginia is a great pick. Whether you’re a full-fledged English major or a Science freshman interested in poetry, its undergraduate program can certainly accommodate you.

The college also has a stellar MFA program that accepts five students for poetry and five for prose. Apart from this school having terrific professors, graduate students receive $20,000 in fellowships or income each academic year.

Students also learn from visiting lecturers who take residence in the school for one week and offer craft talks and one-on-one manuscript consultations (where an MFA student’s work is given to visiting writers one week ahead). 

16. Colby College

At Colby, students are introduced to a strong culture of writing, teaching them to be skillful and effective in multiple genres. The college’s writing program provides students with expository writing workshops, writing labs , and word references forums to build their ability to communicate thoughtfully and skillfully.

Among the impressive resources available at Colby is Farnham’s Writing Center , where great writing is fostered through peer and faculty support. Working with peer writing tutors from the brainstorming phase to the final version is bound to make you a better writer!

17. Kenyon College

Kenyon’s mission is to nurture future poets and fiction writers, and it’s certainly achieved this with notable alumni like The Fault in Our Stars ’ John Green and Seabiscuit ’s Laura Hillenbrand.

This program’s main draw is the Kenyon Review , the college’s world-renowned literary magazine that offers highly coveted workshops and internships for student writers. Each year, a select number of faculty from Kenyon also teach workshops on poetry and prose for students in the English program . 

photo-of-writing-students-sitting-on-steps-outside-with-laptop

18. Beloit College

No matter how much you love writing, mastering this craft can be challenging. That’s why Beloit’s writing program is designed to support students of all kinds in their writing journey. 

At the college’s writing center , tutors approach their students’ learning with the understanding and consideration that everyone has different strengths and capabilities. With this hands-on mentorship comes a range of other great learning resources, like literary journals and student publications, that give you the chance to gain practical experience outside the classroom. 

19. University of Texas-Austin

This university’s three-year MFA program steals the show when it comes to creative writing. Known as the New Writers Project, this graduate-level degree only accepts a dozen students (with full funding) and hosts symposiums to connect them with editors and agents.

The New Writers Project also invites guest writers like Bluets’ Maggie Nelson, Voyager’s Srikanth Reddy, and Notes from No Man’s Land’s Eula Biss to interact with graduate students. 

But if you want to spend less time concentrating on fiction, poetry, and short stories? The University of Texas-Austin’s Certificate in Creative Writing or its Honors option is for you! 

20. Goddard College

Goddard College takes the gold when it comes to having a varied creative writing offering! This unconventional college writing program welcomes writers interested in screenplay writing, graphic novels, dramatic writing, libretto, speculative fiction, memoirs, and other hybrid genres. 

Trusting its students’ capabilities, Goddard was the first college to offer low-residency BFA and MFA creative writing degrees. This means that students are only required to complete an eight-day residency, where they can attend one-on-one sessions with advisors or participate in literary events on campus, before being able to complete the rest of their education at home.

21. Bucknell University

Although this college also boasts courses on comedy and satire, the human impact on the environment, and prose, Bucknell is renowned for its poetry offering. The Stadler Center for Poetry hosts the annual Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, which awards deserving students full-tuition scholarships. 

It also has the Philip Roth Residence Program named after Bucknell’s famous alumnus himself. Authors writing their first (or second) book are allowed to lodge in the Poets’ Cottage with a hefty $5,000 stipend as they work, but the program only lasts for four months.  

photo-of-young-female-student-writing-at-laptop-for-college

22. New York University

The star-studded core faculty at NYU’s creative writing program should be enough to get you on board with this college! Imagine learning the fundamentals of writing from award-winning poets, novelists, short story writers, and memoirists such as Joyce Carol Oates, Zadie Smith, Darin Strauss, Edward Hirsch, and Katie Kitamura.

Plus, with this program, you also get a shot at Writers in New York, a prized summer program that takes place at a townhouse in Greenwich Village where the likes of E.E. Cummings, James Baldwin, Willa Cather, and Mark Twain lived and worked. 

23. University of Michigan

Tagged as the best public university in the US, Michigan’s fantastic Helen Zell MFA Program exposes graduate students to several top-notch writers through a series taught by critically-acclaimed authors (who wouldn’t want to hear from Kazuo Ishiguro, Alice McDermott, Angela Flournoy, and Edward Hirsch?). 

Undergraduates can also apply for admission to a creative writing sub-concentration or a minor and partake in the prestigious Avery Hopwood Awards , one of the country’s most famous student writing prizes.

24. University of Miami

For aspiring writers interested in expressing themselves in a language other than English, the creative writing program at the University of Miami’s curriculum is uniquely inspired by nearby multilingual communities. Polyglot writers are encouraged to explore literature in their own languages.

This university also welcomes double majors so that students can pursue their love for the craft on top of their other interests. Miami’s also great because this campus is jam-packed with extracurriculars that students can jump on to hone their skills. Mangrove , the school’s literary magazine, allows students an opportunity to perform their original work through hosting contests and mic nights.

smiling person sitting at a coffee shop and working in front of a laptop

25. Hamline University

Minnesota residents with a passion for writing consider this small university in Saint Paul a haven for creatives. Why? Because this college is home to the only bachelor’s degree in this field in the entire Twin Cities region (and the only one in the state offered by a private institution). 

Hamline has three fine arts degrees for aspiring authors: a BFA and MFA in Creative Writing, plus a low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. These courses cover a range of literary genres that enable students to gain a diverse knowledge of the practice.

Writing requires dedication, passion, and a conducive environment where your talents can flourish. All the schools on this list have built outstanding creative writing programs but choosing what suits you best is important. 

Make sure the school you pick can help you reach your full potential. Good luck!

You Might Also Like

15 most expensive college majors (and if they’re worth it), top 27 college party themes for a night to remember, 19 best chrome extensions for college professors.

The College Post is part of Globe Post Media, a US digital news organization publishing the world’s best targeted news sites.

Latest Posts

26 best part-time jobs for college students to earn extra cash, most popular, is community college free in these 19 states, yes, 67 top side hustles for college students to make fast cash, these are the cheapest colleges in the us, fast access, want to stay up to date.

Get the latest news about higher education in the US straight to your inbox.

© Globe Post Media | All rights reserved

Thirteen Colleges Every High School Creative Writer Should Consider [Updated for 2019!]

The Adroit Journal

The process of selecting a college for four years—four significant years—of one’s life is never easy. What further complicates this process is the fact that more applications are flying into pretty much every school than ever before. What contradicts this idea, however, is the reality: that there are multiple schools that present terrific opportunities for each type of student . There are multiple ‘best creative writing colleges’. So creative writers, fear not! If you don’t believe me, check out some pretty awesome programs below.

Since its inception in 2010,  The Adroit Journal  has been committed to helping high school writers unlock their potentials while finding the undergraduate writing community for them. High school writers should check out our free, annual online Summer Mentorship Program , which will open to applications on March 15th, as well as our Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose , which recognize spectacular high school and college writers each year. You may wish to additionally check out our summer workshop, camp, and program guide for high school creative writers , as well as our tips for high school teen writers .

But First… Sign Up for Updates!

No matter where you choose to spend your college years, be sure to spend them with us! By signing up below, you’ll receive updates each time we open a submission period or release an issue, and you’ll receive our 2019 Guide to Colleges Every Creative Writer Should Consider . (Note: If you are already subscribed to our mailing list, you will already receive this guide.)

1 | Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia Acceptance Rate: 26.8% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,829 US News & World Rank: 21 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Where to begin? Beautiful campus, beautiful weather, and some of the best creative writing resources a college can hope to have. Emory University is the home of previous U.S. Poet Laureate (and Queen) Natasha Trethewey, as well as a sterling set of core faculty, visiting lecturers, and fellows.

English & Creative Writing Major Creative Writing Minor Honors Program in Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty Page Creative Writing Fellows Page Raymond Danowski Poetry Library

2 | University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia Acceptance Rate: 29.0% Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,483 US News & World Rank: 25 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Boasting another beautiful campus, the University of Virginia may be of particular interest to writers interested in concentrating in either poetry or prose writing for their undergraduate years. Specifically, the school hosts two specific two-year Area Programs dedicated to these areas—unlike any institution I’ve come across—with a terrific faculty (Lisa Russ Spaar, all hail) to boot.

English Major Distinguished Majors Program Creative Writing for Undergraduates Area Program in Poetry Writing Area Program in Literary Prose

3 | University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate: 10.4% Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,746 US News & World Rank: 8 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 5, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Of course, I may happen to be biased— I’m a happy alum of Penn, and studied English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Consumer Psychology —but this means I can confidently say that through a refined liberal arts focus at the University of Pennsylvania , you will learn to write while also finding another interest—any interest—to write about. Penn also has an unrivaled internship program called [email protected], which provides students with approximately thirty diverse, meaningful internships open to the Penn community, and gives each $4,000 to ensure they can afford to do them. You can be sure that your creative writing portfolio will be read—in fact, Penn seeks to recruit the nation’s top young writers and provide them with admissions advocacy through the Kelly Writers House, a non-residential haven for writers and creative types of all kinds that hosts more than 300 events per year. The Writers House is also home to an incredibly tight-knit community of passionate writers and readers that is always pulling another chair up to the table. To find out more information about these opportunities, click on the “Kelly Writers House” and “Writing Recruitment Opportunity” links below. If interested in the recruitment opportunity, please contact Associate Director of Writing Recruitment Jamie-Lee Josselyn, whose contact information is available on the Kelly Writers House website. (By the way, it’s not at all restricted to Early Decision, it’s not at all restricted to prospective English Majors, and it’s not at all restricted to those who can afford full tuition.) No, you aren’t dreaming.

Department of English English Major with a Concentration in Creative Writing Kelly Writers House Writing Recruitment Opportunity RealArts @ Penn Internship Program Department of Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty

4 | Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey Acceptance Rate: 7.4% Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,391 US News & World Rank: 1 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

The faculty at Princeton University is undeniably stacked: Jeffrey Eugenides, Paul Muldoon, Joyce Carol Oates, James Richardson, Tracy K. Smith… the list goes on. No doubt it will be an intense four years, but Princeton is a tough one to say “no” to.

Lewis Center for the Arts Princeton Poetry Festival Creative Writing Faculty Page Creative Writing Program Reading Series

5 | Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri Acceptance Rate: 17.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,401 US News & World Rank: 19 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

It’s no secret that Washington University in St. Louis  is a great place to write—it’s got one of the top Master of Fine Arts programs in the world for creative writing. With a number of certifiably awesome opportunities, it’s also a great place for undergrads… and the fact that they have a specific scholarship dedicated to enabling the best writers to come to WashU is pretty cool, too. P.S.—Mary Jo Bang, Carl Phillips, francine harris. I rest my case.

Undergraduate English Program Concentration in Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty English and/or Writing Minor Howard Nemerov Writing Scholarship

6 | Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut Acceptance Rate: 6.3% Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,477 US News & World Rank: 3 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

From what I’ve heard, being on Yale University ‘s campus is kind of like being in a never-ending creative paradise. Especially if you know where to look. The programs are fantastic (duh—it’s Yale), and Yale students can write —poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and plays. And the school is near New York City, and home to the fabulous Yale University Press. Also, the students do cool things like this (shoutout to previous Adroit prose reader Roger Pellegrini!) and this (shoutout to previous Adroit  Managing Editor Alexa Derman!).

Undergraduate English Major Creative Writing at Yale Creative Writing Faculty Writing Concentration

7 | Bucknell University

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate: 30.7% Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,565 US News & World Rank: 36 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Although perhaps not known as as the most creative of schools,  Bucknell University buzzes with excitement on the poetry front. Other than being home to Bucky the Bison, Bucknell is home to the stunning Stadler Center for Poetry, which brings a number of mix of iconic literary figures and fresh emerging perspectives to Bucknell through an active reading series and two Stadler Fellow seats. Furthermore, Bucknell students (and, actually, all undergraduate students) have enhanced access to the opportunity of studying poetry as part of the annual Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, which brings two inspiring poets to town and awards full-tuition fellowships to ten undergraduate poets finishing their sophomore, junior, or senior years. ( Disclaimer: I was a Younger Poet Fellow last summer, so I may be a biased. But: Apply, even if you aren’t a Bucknell student. Trust me. ) The 32nd annual Seminar will take place in June 2016.

Bucknell University English Major Creative Writing Concentration English & Creative Writing Faculty Stadler Center for Poetry

8 | New York University

New York, New York Acceptance Rate: 35.5% Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,985 US News & World Rank: 30 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Another undeniably exciting place to study creative writing (of pretty much any genre) is New York University . NYU has not only a fabulous core faculty, but also a talented pool of graduate students working towards their Masters of Fine Arts. This will provide you with a terrific mix of perspectives throughout your four years. And similar to Yale (perhaps a result of the aforementioned faculty), NYU has a fantastically creative student body (with the possible exception of the Stern kids), and the students can write . And New York City.

Creative Writing Program Creative Writing Faculty Creative Writing Undergraduate Program Literary Publications Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House

9 | Kenyon College

Gambier, Ohio Acceptance Rate: 25.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,662 US News & World Rank: 30 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

It seems almost ironic that Kenyon College  follows in the list after New York University, seeing as the two are almost opposites: Kenyon is a small rural school, while New York is gigantic and, well, in New York. I say almost  opposites because both hold terrific opportunities for student writers. Kenyon is a well-known strong program for creative writers, perhaps because of its world-class Kenyon Review  and the annual Kenyon Young Writers Workshop. Whatever the reason, it deserves the acclaim—with  an incredible faculty and a strong student body (including an unbelievably large amount of students recognized in the Adroit Prizes !).

Kenyon College English Department Creative Writing at Kenyon Kenyon College English Faculty Kenyon College Literary Fellows The Kenyon Review &  KR Online Kenyon Review  Associates Program Kenyon Young Writers Workshop

10 | Stanford University

Stanford, California Acceptance Rate: 5.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,019 US News & World Rank: 7 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 3, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Stanford University is strong across multiple areas of undergraduate study, clearly, but in the past has not been known by the mainstream for its creative writing resources. Having said that, the school prides itself on holding one of the premier fellowships for rising poets and fiction writers in the entire world—the Wallace Stegner Fellowship Program. This program trickles down into the undergraduate realm through instruction, and (obviously) through the establishment of a talented writing community. Also, the presence of strong minds on the core faculty is undeniable—looking at you, Adam Johnson, Eavan Boland, and Tobias Wolff. Also, Stanford probably has the most gorgeous campus in the history of the earth, and rumor has it they are looking for more writers…

Stanford University English Department Stanford University Undergraduate Creative Writing Program Wallace Stegner Fellowship Program Stanford University Core Creative Writing Professors Stanford University Visiting Creative Writing Professors Stanford University Lecturers in Creative Writing

11 | Emerson College

Boston, Massachusetts Acceptance Rate: 49.2% Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,765 US News & World Rank: Unlisted 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Emerson College  is home to an incredible Writing, Literature & Publishing program, as well as to the nationally-renowned literary publications Ploughshares  and Redivider . It’s also located in central Boston, and loaded with a strong faculty. What more could you want?

Writing, Literature & Publishing Program Undergraduate Programs W, L & P Faculty Literary Publications Careers & Internships in W, L & P

12 | Middlebury College

Middlebury, Vermont Acceptance Rate: 17.2% Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,526 US News & World Rank: 5 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Middlebury College is another clear choice. Set in scenic Vermont, the school is home to the prestigious literary publication New England Review  and a host of significant creative writing resources and faculty members. For example, rising undergraduate seniors have the opportunity to apply to attend the world-renowned Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.

Department of English and American Literature Creative Writing Offerings Creative Writing Faculty Undergraduates at Bread Loaf Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference New England Review

13 | Davidson College

Davidson, North Carolina Acceptance Rate: 21.7% Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,770 US News & World Rank: 10 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 2, 2019

colleges with creative writing minors

Davidson College  is another one you might overlook in your college search—after all, it’s quite small and nestled in a small town in North Carolina—but don’t let yourself miss it! Aside from having a department with resources, Davidson has a strong faculty and a $30,000 annual scholarship for a creative writer to study (any subject) at Davidson. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

English Department Creative Writing Offerings English/Creative Writing Faculty & Staff Honors Program Patricia Cornwall Creative Writing Scholarship

Even more undergraduate Colleges & Universities you should consider

Barnard College Bennington College Bryn Mawr College Carnegie Mellon University Columbia University Harvard University Hollins University Johns Hopkins University Knox College Oberlin College Sewanee: The University of the South Skidmore College University of California, Berkeley University of Chicago University of Iowa University of Miami University of Michigan

These lists comprise only a few of the many schools with excellent programs. Many more perhaps belong on this list but, due to space constraints, were not added. Look at this list as a start, and good luck, seniors!

Sign Up for Updates!

colleges with creative writing minors

Peter LaBerge

Peter LaBerge founded The Adroit Journal in 2010, as a high school sophomore. His work appears in Crazyhorse, Harvard Review, Indiana Review, Iowa Review, Kenyon Review Online, Pleiades, and Tin House, among others. He is the recipient of a 2020 Pushcart Prize.

Thanks so much for this! Applied to a lot of these schools–so glad I did!

Get Free Profile Evaluation

Best colleges for creative writing.

University Library

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 5/4/22

If you are interested in pursuing a career in writing, this guide will tell you the thirteen best colleges for creative writing.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em. We’d like to update Shakespeare’s methods of achieving greatness by adding one more: attending the perfect college.

Whether your favorite twelfth-grade English teacher inspired you, or you want to become the next J.K. Rowling, picking the best creative writing program is crucial to help you gain the right experience and education to enhance your writing skills and excel.

But what are the best college writing programs? Read on to find out! This guide will list the top thirteen colleges for creative writing and focus on these programs’ education, experience, and costs.

Thirteen Best Colleges for Creative Writing

To save you the worry of searching through all of the creative writing programs the country has to offer, here are the top thirteen best colleges for creative writing. 

13 top colleges for creative writing

1. Brown University

As the number one university for Writing in the Disciplines , Brown University is the top-ranked school to attend for students interested in creative writing.

Brown University’s English Department offers various courses for students to explore their interests and hone their writing skills.

Students may choose to enroll in:

Once students have completed their B.A., they can join Brown’s Literary Arts Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program, where they can specialize in their desired form of writing: fiction, poetry, digital and cross-disciplinary writing, playwriting, screenwriting, and non-fiction.

In this program, students have the opportunity to conduct their own independent study on their desired topic, which gives them excellent research and writing experience.

Image outlining the ranking and the writing courses offered by Brown University

While this school has an amazing reputation, it is worth considering that because it is a private university, it has expensive tuition costs! Tuition and fees alone cost around $65,146 per year for undergraduate students.

If you’re interested in applying to Brown , take a look at our complete guide on how to get into this excellent school.

2. Duke University

Ranked second as the best university for Writing in the Disciplines is Duke University .

Duke University offers a general B.A. in English and a creative writing minor . While it does not offer a major in creative writing, it offers various creative writing courses English majors can take to gain more expertise in the subject.

Unlike the majority of undergraduate Arts programs, Duke offers its students internships in New York. Gaining this type of experience is crucial for when you graduate and can help you land your dream job!

Image outlining Duke's ranking, and the internships and writing courses offered by Duke University

Much like Brown University, Duke University is expensive to attend, with tuition and fee costs being around $62,941 per year. However, select students can get a full-ride scholarships , which can help you get your dream degree for free!

3. Carleton College

Ranking number three in Writing in the Disciplines is the prestigious Carleton College, one of the best colleges for creative writing.

Much like Duke, Carleton offers a B.A. in English where students can choose from a breadth of creative courses to enroll in, a minor in creative writing , and just like Brown University, it offers a specialized MFA in Creative Writing .

This college also offers courses where students can build their professional portfolios for when they graduate.

Imagine outlining the ranking, and the creative writing courses offered by Carleton College

Carleton College costs $62,634 in tuition and fees annually. However, this college offers various scholarships and aid to help students with these costs.

4. Yale University

While Yale University also ranked number three in Writing in the Disciplines , it does not offer specific Creative Writing minors or majors. However, Yale offers English students the opportunity to concentrate on creative writing by taking numerous creative writing courses the school offers.

Imagine outlining the Yale University ranking for writing.

Tuition and fee costs for Yale are $62,250 per year. To help with these costs, Yale offers financial aid, work-study, and teaching assistant positions .  

5. Amherst College

Ranking #5 in Writing in the Disciplines , Amherst is another respectable school for writing majors. The college also ranks as the second school in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

This rural university offers an excellent English B.A. program that teaches students how to think critically and write well.

It also has its very own creative writing center that offers diverse creative writing courses for students. Additionally, it offers an award-winning writing program in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts.

Image outlining the Amherst College rankings for creative writing, and liberal arts.

Tuition and fee costs are about $60,890 annually. However, Amherst offers significant financial aid based on need.

6. Swarthmore College 

Swarthmore ranked number six in Writing in the Disciplines and it was considered number three among the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges.

This liberal arts college offers an English B.A . and Writing Associate program . With this English B.A., students are eligible for paid internships to produce original creative writing projects to build their portfolios and gain valuable experience.

Image outlining the Swarthmore College rankings for creative writing, and the programs offered.

Costing slightly less than the other universities, Swarthmore College costs $59,328 in tuition yearly. These lower costs and the added benefit of students being offered paid internships definitely make this college an attractive choice!

7. Cornell University 

Cornell University is another one of the best colleges for creative writing majors. It ranked number six in Writing in the Disciplines and allows English majors to concentrate in Creative Writing. Cornell also offers a creative writing minor .

Graduate students may also join the MFA in Creative Writing program, where they will gain hands-on experience editing and publishing fiction, poetry, essays, and more for EPOCH Magazine .

Image outlining the programs offered by Cornell University for creative writing

Similar to the other universities mentioned, Cornell’s tuition and fees cost $62,456 per year.

8. Harvard University

Harvard University is a prestigious school that’s on everyone’s radar when they consider attending university. Ranking eighth in Writing in the Disciplines , Harvard’s prestige extends into the realm of the arts.

Harvard offers an extensive English B.A. program where students can enroll in various comprehensive creative writing courses . In fact, there are usually no more than twelve students in each of these classes, ensuring students receive personalized teaching to really refine their writing skills and get the most out of their education.

Image outlining Harvard University rankings, and program offered for creative writing

To attend this high-ranking program it’ll cost around $57,261 a year for tuition .

9. Stanford University

As no surprise, Stanford University also made the list of the best colleges for creative writing!

Stanford is #9 in Writing in the Disciplines . The university offers:

Image outlining Stanford rankings for writing disciplines, and the creative writing programs offered.

Undergraduate programs at Stanford cost $57,693 a year for tuition .  

10.  Columbia University

Columbia is located in the Big Apple, and ranks tenth in Writing in the Disciplines. ‍

Columbia University offers an English and Comparative Literature B.A. program as well as concentrations in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Literary Translation. The Poetry concentration , in particular, is considered one of the strongest and most rigorous in the country. Columbia also offers an MFA in Writing for graduates.

Image outlining Columbia University rankings for writing disciplines, and the creative writing programs offered.

As one of the most expensive universities mentioned yet, Columbia’s tuition costs $65,524 per academic year.

However, Columbia is dedicated to reducing students’ tuition costs and states students coming from families with annual incomes less than $150,000 are able to attend Columbia tuition-free ! According to their financial office, about 50% of all Columbia students receive grants of around $62,850.

So, if money is a major factor in your decision, rest assured you have a high chance of receiving significant grants if you attend Columbia University!

11.  Hamilton College

Tying with Columbia, Hamilton College ranked tenth in Writing in the Disciplines and thirteenth overall in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Hamilton is one of the few universities out there that actually offers a major in creative writing and English Literature. So, if you’d rather concentrate completely on creative writing rather than just minoring in it, this may be the best creative writing program for you!

Image outlining Hamilton College rankings for writing disciplines, and the creative writing programs offered.

At this Liberal Arts college, tuition is $62,050 per academic year. For students unable to pay these high costs, Hamilton promises to meet your full demonstrated financial need through a combination of family contributions and financial aid.

12.  University of Iowa

Ranking tenth in Writing in the Disciplines as well, the University of Iowa is another great option to consider.

This university is nationally recognized as a writing university and offers majors in English as well as English and Creative Writing.

Image outlining University of Iowa rankings for writing disciplines, and the programs offered.

With significantly cheaper tuition costs than the other universities mentioned, Iowa residents can expect to pay only $9,942 a year for tuition, and non-residents can expect to pay $31,905! For students interested in graduating from university without drowning in debt, this might be the perfect university for you!

13.  Princeton University

Despite being one of the oldest colleges in America, Princeton University consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the world. It ranks thirteenth in Writing in the Disciplines.

Princeton University offers an English B.A . and a creative writing program that these undergraduate students can join in combination with their B.A. In this program, students work alongside actual practicing writers to gain the most authentic knowledge and experience.

Image outlining Princeton University rankings for writing disciplines, and the creative writing programs offered.

Tuition for this prestigious school is around $57,410 a year , making it one of the cheaper options on this list.

FAQs: Best Colleges for Creative Writing

If you’re still wondering which program is best for you, these frequently asked questions on the best colleges for creative writing majors can help you to find your answers.

1. What College Has The Best Creative Writing Program?

According to its ranking and reputation, Brown University has the best writing programs and creative writing courses.

2. What is the Best College for Aspiring Writers?

Hamilton College and the University of Iowa are some of the only colleges that offer majors in Creative Writing rather than just minors or courses. For those wishing to focus solely on learning how to write creatively, these universities are the best option.

3. Which Colleges Offer Writing Internships?

Duke University and Swarthmore College offer paid internship programs for their English students. Carleton College requires students to create original writing projects to build their professional portfolios, and Cornell University requires Creative Writing MFA students to edit and publish creative writing for the EPOCH Magazine.

4. What Is The Cheapest Creative Writing Program?

The University of Iowa is significantly cheaper to attend than the other best colleges for creative writing, costing only $9,942 in tuition for residents and $31,905 for non-residents. However, Columbia University offers the most extensive scholarships, as 50% of all of its students receive grants of around $62,850.

5. How Big Are Creative Writing Classes?

In general, they are relatively small compared to classes in other disciplines. For instance, each of Harvard’s creative writing courses only has about twelve students.

These small classes are great because students get personalized help from their professors and are able to make better connections with them (and we all know how important networking is!)

6. How Do I Decide Which Creative Writing Program Is Best For Me?

The main factor you want to consider is what you wish to gain out of your program! If you want to gain a lot of hands-on experience and build your portfolio, choose a school like Duke University, Swarthmore College, or Cornell.

If you’d like to save the most money while attending university, choose a low-tuition school like The University of Iowa.

If you get homesick and can’t go more than a few days without seeing your beloved cat, choose a university that is close to you! The thirteen colleges listed here are located all over the states!

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this guide has provided you with helpful insight into the best colleges for creative writing. No matter which school you choose to attend, these thirteen schools are the very best and will truly help you kickstart your career as a writer!

As Shakespeare said, parting is such sweet sorrow. But, now that you have all the information you need on the experience, education, and cost of the best creative writing programs the nation has to offer, you can pick your perfect college and program that will help you achieve greatness!

Get A Free Consultation

You may also like.

How Long Is the ACT?

How Long Is the ACT?

How to Prepare for the ACT Science Test

How to Prepare for the ACT Science Test

First name, vector icon of a person

PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 12 best creative writing colleges and programs.

College Info

colleges with creative writing minors

Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States .

The Best Creative Writing Programs: Ranking Criteria

You should never take college rankings as absolute truth —not even the very official-seeming US News ones. Instead, use these kinds of lists as a jumping-off place for your own exploration of colleges. Pay attention not just to what the rankings are but to how the rankings are determined.

To help with that, I'll explain how I came up with this highly unscientific list of great creative writing colleges. I started by narrowing my search down to schools that offered a specific creative writing major. (If you don't see a school you were expecting, it's likely because they only have a minor.)

In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria:

The Best Creative Writing Schools

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of schools! The exact numbering is always arguable, so look at it as a general trend from absolutely amazing to still super great, rather than fixating on why one school is ranked #3 and another is ranked #4.

#1: Northwestern University

Northwestern's undergrad creative writing program boasts acclaimed professors and an unparalleled track record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell).

Outside the classroom, you can work on the student-run literary journal, intern at a publication in nearby Chicago, or submit to the Department of English's yearly writing competition . The university is also home to a top journalism program , so if you want to try your hand at nonfiction as well, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

#2: Columbia University

Like Northwestern, Columbia is home to both a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school (plus one of the best English departments in the country), so you have a wide range of writing-related course options. Columbia also benefits from its location in New York City, which is bursting at the seams with publishing houses, literary journals, and talented authors.

colleges with creative writing minors

#3: University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's big draw is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers' Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country.

As an English and Creative Writing major here, you'll take classes from great young writers and established professors alike, and get to choose from a wide range of topics. This major provides transferable skills important for a liberal arts major with a creative focus. You'll also have access to the university's impressive literary community, including frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and the acclaimed literary journal The Iowa Review .

#4: Emory University

Emory is renowned for its dedicated undergrad creative writing program , which draws the very best visiting scholars and writers. Students here have the chance to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors, study a range of genres, compete for writing awards and scholarships, and work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project.

#5: Oberlin College

A small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers very different advantages than the schools above do. You'll have fewer opportunities to pursue writing in the surrounding city, but the quality of the teachers and the range of courses might make up for that. Moreover, it boasts just as impressive alumni, including actress and writer Lena Dunham.

#6: Hamilton College

Hamilton is another small college, located in upstate New York. It's known for giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to help them explore topics in real depth, both inside and outside the classroom. Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country.

#7: Brown University

Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major . For the major, you must take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which span an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology.

colleges with creative writing minors

#8: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically earmarked for creative writing students. This school’s undergraduate English program also offers a concentration in creative writing that allows students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. If you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre, Washington University could be a great pick for you.

#9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT might not be a school you generally associate with writing, but it actually has an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, and provides plenty of guidance on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market.

Not to mention the school is located in Cambridge, a haven for book lovers and writers of all kinds. Though it probably isn’t a good fit for students who hate science, MIT is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are marketable in a wide range of industries.

#10: University of Michigan

University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school’s undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing portfolio and articulating their interest in creative writing to an audience who will evaluate their work. If you're looking to attend a big school with a great creative writing major, this is a fantastic choice.

#11: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is another school that's known more for engineering than it is for writing, but, like MIT, it has a dedicated writing program. As a major here, you must take not only courses in prose, poetry, and literature, but also classes on topics such as philosophy and history.

#12: Colorado College

Colorado College is a small liberal arts school known for its block plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. The creative writing track of the English major includes a sequence of four writing workshops and also requires students to attend every reading of the Visiting Writers Series.

Bonus School: New York University

I didn't include NYU in the main list because it doesn't have a dedicated creative writing major, but it's a great school for aspiring writers nonetheless, offering one of the most impressive creative writing faculties in the country and all the benefits of a Manhattan location.

body_nyu

How To Pick the Best Creative Writing School for You

Just because Northwestern is a great school for creative writing doesn't mean you should set your heart on going there. (The football fans are completely terrifying, for one thing.) So where should you go then?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at creative writing programs to help you determine the best school for you:

Does It Have Courses You're Interested In?

Look at the course offerings and see whether they interest you. While you can't predict exactly what classes you'll love, you want to avoid a mismatch where what you want to study and what the program offers are completely different. For example, if you want to write sonnets but the school focuses more on teaching fiction, it probably won't be a great fit for you.

Also, don't forget to look at the English courses and creative writing workshops! In most programs, you'll be taking a lot of these, too.

What Opportunities Are There To Pursue Writing Outside of Class?

I touched on this idea in the criteria section, but it's important enough that I want to reiterate it here. Some of the best writing experience you can get is found outside the classroom, so see what kind of writing-related extracurriculars a school has before committing to it.

Great options include getting involved with the campus newspaper, working on the school's literary journal, or interning at the university press.

Who Will Be Teaching You?

Who are the professors? What kind of work have they published? Check teacher ratings on Rate My Professors (but make sure to read the actual reviews—and always take them with a grain of salt).

If you're looking at a big school, there's a good chance that a lot of your teachers will be graduate students. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: a lot of the best teachers I had in college were graduate students. Just take into consideration what kind of graduate program the school has. If there's a great creative writing MFA program, then the graduate students are likely to be better writers and more engaged teachers.

What Are the Alumni Doing Now?

If you have a sense of what you want to do after you graduate, see if any alumni of the program are pursuing that type of career. The stronger the alumni network is, the more connections you'll have when it comes time to get a job.

What About the Rest of the School?

Don't pick a school for which you like the creative writing program but dread everything else about it. Most of your time will be spent doing other things, whether hanging out in the dorms, exploring off campus, or fulfilling general education requirements.

Many schools require you to apply to the creative writing major, so make doubly sure you'll be happy with your choice even if you aren't accepted to the program.

What's Next?

Are you sure a creative writing major is the right fit for you? Read our post on the pros and cons of the major to help you decide what path to take in college.

For more general advice about choosing a college, check out our complete guide to finding the right school for you. Some major factors to consider include deciding whether you're interested in a small college or a big university , an in-state or out-of-state institution , and a public or private school .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Get eBook: 5 Tips for 160+ Points

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Join the Conversation

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

colleges with creative writing minors

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

NewPages.com

Undergraduate Creative Writing Programs

The newpages guide to ba, bfa, aa, afa creative writing programs.

This directory features creative writing undergraduate programs. The majority of these are for degrees in English with a concentration or minor in creative writing. It is still being updated, and we’d appreciate hearing from you if you know of programs not yet listed. Many links will be directly to the English Department of the college website if we can’t locate a more specific link to a creative writing program page for that institution.

AK  –  AL  –  AR  –  AZ  –  CA  –  CO  –  CT  –  DC  –  DE –  FL  –  GA  –  HI  –  IA  –  ID  –  IL  –  IN  –  KS  –  KY  –  LA  –  MA  –  MD  –  ME  –  MI  –  MN  –  MO  –  MS  –  MT  –  NC  –  ND  –  NE  –  NH  –  NJ  –  NM –  NV  –  NY  –  OH  –  OK  –  OR  –  PA  –  RI  –  SC  –  SD  –  TN  –  TX  –  UT  –  VA  –  VT  –  WA  –  WI  –  WV  –  WY  –  Canada  –  International

top of page

Alabama State University English Department Writing minor

Auburn University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Auburn University, Montgomery English Department Creative Writing minor

Jacksonville State University English Department Creative Writing major

University of Alabama at Birmingham English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Alabama English Department Creative Writing minor

University of South Alabama English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Alaska Fairbanks English Department Creative Writing minor

Arizona State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Phoenix College English Department Creative Writing AA

University of Arizona English Department Creative Writing major

Arkansas Tech University English Department Creative Writing BFA

Hendrix College English Department Creative Writing major

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Department of English, Rhetoric and Writing, and Media Communication BA in Rhetoric & Writing Creative Writing minor

University of Arkansas at Little Rock English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Arkansas at Monticello Arts and Humanities Creative Writing concentration

University of Central Arkansas English Department Creative Writing major

Antioch University Los Angeles Creative Writing concentration

Antioch University Santa Barbara Professional & Creative Writing BA

Azusa Pacific University English Department Writing concentration

California Baptist University Creative Writing BFA Creative Writing minor Creative Writing concentration

California Lutheran University English Department Creative Writing major

California Polytechnic State University English Department Creative Writing Program

California State University, Chico English Department Creative Writing minor

California State University, East Bay English Department Creative Writing option, BA Creative Writing minor

California State University, Fresno English Department Creative Writing option, BA

California State University, Fullerton English Department Creative Writing minor

California State University, Long Beach English Department Creative Writing emphasis

California State University, Los Angeles English Department Creative Writing minor

California State University, Monterey Bay English Department Creative Writing concentration

California State University, Northridge English Department Creative Writing option

California State University, Sacramento English Department Creative Writing minor

California State University, San Bernardino English Department Creative Writing BA Writing Center

Chapman University English Department Creative Writing BFA John Fowles Center for Creative Writing

Dominican University of California Literature and Languages Department Creative Writing emphasis Humboldt State University English Department Writing Practices BA Irvine Valley College English Department Creative Writing Program

La Sierra University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Laguna College of Art + Design Creative Writing minor

Long Beach City College English Department Creative Writing Program

Loyola Marymount University English Department Creative Writing specialization

Mills College at Northeastern University English Department Creative Writing minor

Monterey Peninsula College Language & Communication Creative Writing Program

National University Arts & Humanities Department Creative Writing minor

Pasadena City College English Department Creative Writing Program

Pepperdine University / Seaver College Humanities Division Creative Writing major / minor

Pomona College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Saint Mary’s College of California English Department Creative Writing concentration

San Diego State University English & Comparative Literature Department Creative Writing minor

San Francisco State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

San Jose State University English Department Creative Writing BA Creative Writing minor

Sonoma State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Stanford University English Department Creative Writing Program

University of California Berkeley English Department Creative Writing minor

University of California Davis English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of California Irvine English Department Creative Writing minor Creative Writing emphasis

University of California Los Angeles English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of California Riverside Creative Writing Department Creative Writing BA

University of California Santa Cruz Literature Department Creative Writing BA

University of La Verne English Department Creative Writing major  / minor

University of Redlands English Department Creative Writing major

University of San Diego English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Southern California English Department Creative Writing BA

Adams State University English Department Creative Writing minor / emphasis

Arapahoe Community College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Colorado College English Department Creative Writing track

Colorado Mesa University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Colorado State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Colorado State University – Pueblo English Department Creative Writing minor

Naropa University Creative Writing & Literature BA

Western Colorado University Communication Arts, Languages & Literature Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Colorado Boulder English Department Creative Writing major

University of Colorado Colorado Springs English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Colorado Denver English Department Creative Writing option

University of Denver English Department Creative Writing concentration

Connecticut

Albertus Magnus College BA in English Creative Writing concentration

Central Connecticut State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Connecticut College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Eastern Connecticut State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Fairfield University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Southern Connecticut State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Trinity College English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Connecticut English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Hartford English Department Creative Writing concentration

Wesleyan University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Yale University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Washington D.C.

American University Literature Department Creative Writing minor

George Washington University English Department Creative Writing major  / minor

Georgetown University English Department Creative Writing minor

Howard University English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Delaware English Department Writing minor 

Eckerd College Literature Department Creative Writing BA

Flagler College English Department Creative Writing minor

Florida Gulf Coast University Language & Literature Department Creative Writing minor

Florida State University English Department Creative Writing Program

Nova Southeastern University Department of Writing and Communication Writing minor

Ringling College of Art + Design Creative Writing BFA

Saint Leo University English Department Professional Writing specialization

Stetson University English Department Creative Writing BA

University of Central Florida English Department Creative Writing BA Creative Writing minor

University of Florida English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Miami English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of South Florida English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Tampa English & Writing Department Writing BA

University of West Florida English Department Creative Writing specialization

Agnes Scott College English Department Creative Writing major

Augusta University English Department Creative Writing track

Berry College English Department Creative Writing option

Brewton-Parker College English Department Creative Writing minor

Emory University English Department Creative Writing major

Georgia College & State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Georgia Southern University Writing & Linguistics Department Writing & Linguistics BA Creative Writing minor

Georgia State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Mercer University English Department Creative Writing major

Savannah College of Art and Design Creative Writing overview Creative Writing BFA

Spelman College English Department Creative Writing minor

Thomas University Literature & Media major Creative Writing minor

University of Georgia English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of West Georgia English Department Creative Writing minor

Valdosta State University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Hawai’i Pacific University English Department Writing minor

University of Hawaii at Manoa English Department Creative Writing concentration

Boise State University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

College of Idaho English Department Creative Writing major / minor

College of Western Idaho English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Idaho State University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Lewis-Clark State College Humanities Division Creative Writing BFA Creative Writing minor

North Idaho College English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Idaho English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Augustana College English and Creative Writing

Bradley University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Benedictine University Department of Communication Arts Writing & Publishing major

College of DuPage English Programs Creative Writing Program

Columbia College Chicago English Department Creative Writing BA Creative Writing minor

DePaul University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Dominican University English Department Writing concentration

Eastern Illinois University English Department Creative Writing minor

Illinois State University English Department Creative Writing major  / minor

Illinois Wesleyan University English Department Writing concentration

Knox College English Department Creative Writing major

Lake Forest College Department of English & Creative Writing Creative Writing major

Lewis University English Department Creative Writing minor

Loyola University Chicago English Department Creative Writing concentration

Millikin University English Department Writing major

North Central College English Department Writing emphasis

Northwestern University English Department Creative Writing major

Northwestern University – School of Professional Studies Creative Writing major

Principia College English Department Creative Writing concentration Creative Writing minor

Roosevelt University English Department Creative Writing concentration

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Writing Department Writing emphasis

Southern Illinois University Carbondale English Department Creative Writing specialization

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Chicago English Language & Literature Department Creative Writing major / minor

University of Illinois at Chicago English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Western Illinois University English Department Creative Writing minor

Ball State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Butler University English Department Creative Writing track

Calumet College of St. Joseph English, Writing, & Professional Communications Department  Creative Writing concentration

DePauw University English Department Writing major

Earlham College English Department Creative Writing minor

Grace College Department of Languages, Literature, & Communication Creative Writing minor

Huntington University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Indiana State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Indiana University Bloomington English Department Creative Writing concentration  /  minor

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis English Department Creative Writing major  / minor

Indiana University South Bend English Department Creative Writing minor

Indiana Wesleyan University Modern Language & Literature Division Writing major / minor

Purdue University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Purdue University Fort Wayne English Department Creative Writing minor

Taylor University English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Evansville English Department Creative Writing BFA

University of Indianapolis English Department Creative Writing major / minor

University of Notre Dame English Department Creative Writing Program

University of Southern Indiana English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Valparaiso University English Department Creative Writing BA Creative Writing minor

Wabash College English Department Creative Writing major

Central College English Department Writing emphasis

Coe College English Department Creative Writing Program

Cornell College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Drake University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Grinnell College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Loras College English Department Creative Writing major

Morningside College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Mount Mercy University English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Iowa English Department Creative Writing major

University of Northern Iowa Languages & Literatures Department Creative Writing minor

Upper Iowa University Creative Writing minor

Bethel College English Department Creative Writing major

Emporia State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Haskell Indian Nations University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Kansas State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Pittsburg State University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Kansas English Department Creative Writing track

Wichita State University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Asbury University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Centre College English Department Creative Writing minor

Eastern Kentucky University English & Theatre Department Creative Writing focus

Morehead State University English Department Creative Writing BFA / minor

Murray State University English & Philosophy Department Creative Writing BA, BFA, BS

Northern Kentucky University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Spalding University Liberal Studies Department Creative Writing BFA

Thomas More College English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Louisville English Department Creative Writing minor

Western Kentucky University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Louisiana State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Loyola University New Orleans English Department Writing concentration

Nicholls State University Department of Languages and Literature Creative Writing concentration / minor

Southeastern Louisiana University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Tulane University English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Louisiana at Lafayette English Department Creative Writing BA

University of Louisiana Monroe English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of New Orleans English Department Creative Writing concentration

Xavier University English Department Creative Writing minor

Bates College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Bowdoin College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Colby College English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Maine at Farmington English Department Creative Writing Program

University of Maine at Machias Creative Arts Program

University of Maine at Presque Isle English Department Writing concentration

University of Maine at Orono English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Southern Maine English Department Creative Writing minor

Anne Arundel Community College English Department Creative Writing AA

Bowie State University Department of Language, Literature & Cultural Studies Creative Writing concentration

Frostburg State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Goucher College Center for Contemporary and Creative Writing Creative Writing concentration

Johns Hopkins University English Department Writing Seminars major

Loyola College Writing Department Writing major / minor

Maryland Institute College of Art Humanistic Studies Department Creative Writing minor

Mount St. Mary’s University English Department Creative Writing minor

Salisbury University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Towson University English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Baltimore English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Maryland – Baltimore County English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Maryland – College Park English Department Creative Writing minor

Washington College English Department Creative Writing minor

Massachusetts

Amherst College English Department Creative Writing Center

Bentley University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Boston College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Boston University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Brandeis University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Bridgewater State College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Curry College English Department Creative Writing minor

Emerson College Writing, Literature & Publishing Department Creative Writing BFA

Framingham State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Harvard University English Department Creative Writing program

Holyoke Community College English & Creative Writing Department Creative Writing AA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Writing and Humanistic Studies Creative Writing concentration

Lesley University Humanities Department Creative Writing BA Creative Writing minor

Northeastern University English Department Creative Writing minor

Salem State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Smith College English Language and Literature Creative Writing emphasis

Springfield College Creative Writing minor

Suffolk University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Tufts University English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Massachusetts – Amherst English Department Creative Writing specialization

University of Massachusetts – Boston English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth English Department Creative Writing option

Wellesley College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Western New England College English Department Creative Writing major

Williams College English Department Creative Writing honors

Worcester State Univeristy English Department Writing concentration

Adrian College English Department Writing emphasis

Albion College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Alma College English Department Writing minor

Calvin College English Department Writing minor

Central Michigan University English Language & Literature Department Creative Writing concentration

Eastern Michigan University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Grand Valley State University Writing Department Creative Writing emphasis

Hope College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Kalamazoo College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Lake Superior State University English & Language Studies Creative Writing Program

Michigan State University English Department Creative Writing concentration Creative Writing minor

Northern Michigan University English Department Writing minor

Saginaw Valley State University English Department Creative Writing major

Siena Heights University English Department Creative Writing major

University of Michigan English Department Creative Writing minor Creative Writing sub-concentration

Wayne State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Western Michigan University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Augsburg College English Department Writing concentration

Bemidji State University English Department Creative Writing BFA

Bethel University English Department Professional & Creative Writing major Creative Writing minor

Carleton College English Department Creative Writing option Creative Writing Contests

College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Concordia University, St. Paul English Department Writing minor

Hamline University English Department Creative Writing BFA Creative Writing concentration Creative Writing minor

Macalester College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Minnesota State University Mankato English Department Creative Writing BA, BFA / minor

Normandale Community College English Department Creative Writing AFA

North Hennepin Community College Creative Writing AFA

St. Cloud State University English Department Creative Writing BA

St. Olaf College English Department Creative Writing major

Southwest Minnesota State University English Department Literature/Creative Writing BA

University of Minnesota English Department Creative Writing minor

University of St. Thomas English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Winona State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Mississippi

Belhaven University English Department Creative Writing BFA

Delta State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Mississippi State University English Department Creative Writing BA

Mississippi University for Women Languages, Literature & Philosophy Department Creative Writing concentration Creative Writing minor

University of Mississippi English Department Creative Writing minor

Columbia College Missouri Language & Communication Studies Department Creative Writing emphasis

Drury University English Department Writing major  /  minor

Lindenwood University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Missouri Southern State University English & Philosophy Department Creative Writing emphasis

Missouri State University English Department Creative Writing BA

Northwest Missouri State University English & Modern Languages Department Creative Writing emphasis

St. Louis University English Department Creative Writing concentration Creative Writing minor

Stephens College School of Creative and Performing Arts Creative Writing BFA

Southeast Missouri State University English Department Creative Writing BA

Truman State University English & Linguistics Department Creative Writing BFA

University of Central Missouri English & Philosophy Department Creative Writing minor

University of Missouri English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Missouri-Kansas City English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Webster University English Department Creative Writing BA

Montana State University, Billings English & Philosophy Department Creative Writing emphasis

Rocky Mountain College English Department Creative Writing BA

University of Montana English Department Creative Writing program

Creighton University English Department Creative writing emphasis

University of Nebraska, Kearney English Department Writing emphasis Creative Writing minor

University of Nebraska, Lincoln English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Nebraska, Omaha English Department Creative Writing BFA

College of Southern Nevada English Department Creative Writing AA

New Hampshire

Colby-Sawyer College School of Arts & Sciences Creative Writing BA / minor

Dartmouth College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Franklin Pierce University English Department Creative Writing concentration

New England College Institute of Art & Design Creative Writing BA

Southern New Hampshire University English Language & Literature (BA) Creative Writing BA

University of New Hampshire English Department Writing minor

College of New Jersey English Department Creative Writing minor

Drew University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Fairleigh Dickinson University Department of Literature, Language, Writing, and Philosophy Creative Writing BA

Kean University English Department Writing option

Monmouth University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Montclair State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Princeton University Center for the Arts Creative Writing BA

Richard Stockton College Arts & Humanities Department Creative Writing BA

Rowan University Writing Arts Department Creative Writing concentration Creative Writing minor

Rutgers University – Camden English Department Writing minor

Rutgers University – Newark English Department Creative Writing minor

Seton Hall University English Department Creative Writing BA Creative Writing minor

Warren County Community College Creative Writing AFA

William Paterson University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Eastern New Mexico University Department of Languages and Literature Creative Writing minor

Institute of American Indian Arts Creative Writing Program

New Mexico Highlands University English Department Writing minor

New Mexico State University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Santa Fe Community College School of Liberal Arts and Core Studies Creative Writing Program

University of New Mexico English Language & Literature Department Creative Writing concentration

Adelphi University English Department Creative Writing track

Alfred University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Creative Writing concentration

Barnard College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Baruch College English Department Creative Writing specialization

Binghamton University – SUNY English, General Literature & Rhetoric Department Creative Writing Program

Brooklyn College of CUNY English Department Creative Writing BFA

Canisius College English Department Creative Writing program

Colgate University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

College of Saint Rose English Department Writing minor

Columbia University School of the Arts Creative Writing major

Cornell University English Department Creative Writing minor

Fordham University English Department Creative Writing option

Hamilton College English Department Creative Writing major

Hobart & William Smith Colleges English Department Creative Writing concentration

Hofstra University English Department Creative Writing Concentration

Houghton College English and Writing Department Creative Writing major

Hunter College -CUNY English Department Creative Writing concentration

Ithaca College Writing Department Writing BA

John Jay College – CUNY English Department Creative Writing minor

Keuka College English Department Creative Writing concentration

LaGuardia Community College – CUNY English Department Creative Writing track

Le Moyne College English Department Creative Writing Program

Long Island University, Brooklyn Department of English, Philosophy, & Foreign Languages Creative Writing concentration

Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus English Department Writing concentration

Manhattanville College English Department Creative Writing Program

Marymount Manhattan English Department Creative Writing BFA

Medaille College Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Creative Writing concentration

Nassau Community College English Department Creative Writing AA

The New School Department of Literary Studies Creative Writing concentration Riggio Honors Program: Writing & Democracy

New York University English Department Creative Writing minor

New York University School of Professional Studies Creative Writing concentration

Pace University – NYC English Department Writing & Literature concentration Creative Writing minor English/Publishing BA/MS

Pace University – Pleasantville English & Modern Language Studies Department Creative Writing minor

Pratt Institute Department of Writing Writing BFA

Purchase College – SUNY School of Humanities Creative Writing BA

St. Lawrence University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Sarah Lawrence College Writing Program

Skidmore College English Department Creative Writing minor

State University of New York at Brockport English Department Creative Writing concentration

State University of New York at Buffalo English Department Creative Writing focus

State University of New York at Fredonia English Department Creative Writing minor

State University of New York at Geneseo English Department Creative Writing track

State University of New York at New Paltz English Department Creative Writing major / minor

State University of New York at Oswego English Department Creative Writing BA

State University of New York at Plattsburgh English Department Writing Arts BA

State University of New York at Potsdam English & Communication Department Creative Writing BA / BFA

University of Rochester English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Utica College English Department Creative Writing minor

Vassar College English Department Creative Writing Program

Wells College English Department Creative Writing minor

North Carolina

Appalachian State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Davidson College English Department Writing Program

Duke University English Department Creative Writing minor

East Carolina University English Department Creative Writing minor

Elon University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Fayetteville State University English Department Creative & Professional Writing BA Creative & Professional Writing minor

Gardner-Webb University Department of English Language & Literature Creative Writing track

North Carolina State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Pfeiffer University English BA Creative Writing concentration

Queens University of Charlotte English & Creative Writing Department Creative Writing BA

St. Andrews Presbyterian College English Department Creative Writing major

Salem College English program Creative Writing Program

St. Andrews University English Department Creative Writing Program

University of Mount Olive English Department Creative Writing minor

University of North Carolina-Asheville Literature & Language Department Creative Writing concentration

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill English & Comparative Literature Department Creative Writing Program

University of North Carolina-Greensboro English Department Creative Writing minor

University of North Carolina-Pembroke English Department Creative Writing minor

University of North Carolina-Wilmington English Department Creative Writing BFA

Wake Forest University English Department Creative Writing minor

Warren Wilson College English Department Creative Writing Program major / minor

Western Carolina University English Department Creative Writing minor

North Dakota

University of North Dakota English Department Writing & Editing certificate

Antioch University Midwest Liberal Studies, Creative Writing and Literature BA

Ashland University English Department Creative Writing major

Bluffton University English/Language Department Writing minor / major

Bowling Green State University English Department Creative Writing Program Creative Writing BFA

Capital University English Department Creative Writing major

Case Western Reserve University English Department Creative Writing minor

Cedarville University English, Literature & Modern Languages Department Creative Writing minor

Cleveland State University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Denison University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Hiram College English Department Creative Writing major

John Carroll University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Kent State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Kenyon College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Marietta College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Miami University English Department Creative Writing major

Mount St. Joseph University Liberal Arts Department Creative Writing minor

Oberlin College English Department Creative Writing Program

Ohio Northern University College of Arts & Sciences Creative Writing major

Ohio State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Ohio University English Department Creative Writing BA

Ohio Wesleyan University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Otterbein College English Department Creative Writing BA / BFA

Tiffin University School of Arts & Sciences Creative Writing concentration

University of Akron English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Cincinnati English & Comparative Literature Department Creative Writing major Creative Writing certificate

University of Findlay English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Toledo English Language & Literature Department Creative Writing concentration

Wittenberg University English Department Creative Writing minor

Wright State University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Youngstown State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Cameron University English & Foreign Languages Department Creative Writing track

Oklahoma City University English Department Writing track

Oklahoma State University English Department Creative Writing option

Southwestern Oklahoma State University English Department Writing option

University of Central Oklahoma English Department Creative Writing major

University of Oklahoma English Department Writing track

Clackamas Community College English Department Creative Writing courses

Eastern Oregon University English/Writing Program Writing concentration

George Fox University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Lewis & Clark College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Linfield College English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Mt. Hood Community College English Department Creative Writing focus

Oregon State University School of Writing, Literature, & Film Creative Writing BA

Pacific Northwest College of the Art Creative Writing Program

Pacific University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Portland Community College Creative Writing courses Portland State University Creative Writing Department BFA in Creative Writing Southern Oregon University English Department Creative Writing BA

Western Oregon University English Department Writing major / minor

Willamette University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Pennsylvania

Allegheny College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Arcadia University English Department Creative Writing minor

Bucknell University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Cabrini University School of Arts & Sciences Writing and Publications track

California University of Pennsylvana English Department Creative Writing concentration

Carlow University English Department Creative Writing major

Carnegie Mellon University English Department Creative Writing Program

Cedar Crest College English & Writing Department Writing major/ minor

Chatham University English Department Creative Writing BFA

Clarion University English Department Creative Writing minor

Dickinson College English Department Creative Writing minor

Drexel University English & Philosophy Department Writing minor

Duquesne University English Department Creative Writing minor

Franklin & Marshall College English Department Creative Writing track

Gannon University English Department Writing empahsis

Gettysburg College English Department Writing concentration / minor

Haverford College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Holy Family University School of Arts & Sciences Creative Writing minor

Indiana University of Pennsylvania English Department Writing Studies track

Kutztown University English Department Professional Writing BA

La Salle University English Department Creative Writing minor

Lebanon Valley College Creative Writing Program Creative Writing minor

Lehigh University English Department Creative Writing Program

Lincoln University English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Lock Haven University English Department Writing concentration

Lycoming College English Department Creative Writing major

Mansfield University English Department Professional Writing concentration Creative Writing minor

Mercyhurst College English Department Creative Writing concentration / minor

Penn State University English Department Creative Writing BA

Penn State-Altoona English Program Creative Writing major / minor

Penn State-Erie, Behrend College School of Humanities & Social Sciences Creative Writing major

Point Park University School of Arts and Sciences Creative Writing BA / minor

Robert Morris University School of Informatics, Humanities & Social Sciences Writing concentration

St. Vincent College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Seton Hill University English Department Creative Writing specialization

Shippensburg University English Department Creative Writing BA

Slippery Rock University English Department Creative Writing B.S.

Susquehanna University English & Creative Writing Department Creative Writing major / minor FUSE  (Forum for Undergraduate Student Editors)

Swarthmore College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Temple University English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Pennsylvania English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Pittsburgh English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford English Program Writing BA

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg English Department Creative & Professional Writing

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Humanities Division Creative Writing major

University of Scranton English & Theatre Department Creative Writing Program

Ursinus College English Department Creative Writing minor

Waynesburg University English & Foreign Languages Department Creative Writing track

West Chester University English Department Creative Writing minor

Widener University English and Creative Writing Department Creative Writing BA

Wilkes University English Department Creative Writing minor

Wilson College English Department Creative Writing concentration

York College English & Humanities Department Creative Writing minor

Rhode Island

Brown University English Department Honors in Creative Writing

Bryant University Literary & Cultural Studies Department Professional & Creative Writing minor

Providence College English Department Creative Writing BA

Rhode Island College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Rhode Island School of Design Literary Arts & Studies Department Creative Writing focus

Roger Williams University English and Creative Writing Department Creative Writing BFA Creative Writing minor

Salve Regina University English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Rhode Island English Department Creative Writing focus

South Carolina

Clemson University English Department Creative Writing minor

College of Charleston English Department Creative Writing concentration / minor

Converse College English Department Creative Writing BFA Creative Writing concentration

Francis Marion University English Department Creative Writing minor

Presbyterian College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of South Carolina English Department Creative Writing minor

Winthrop University English Department Creative Writing specialization

Wofford College English Department Creative Writing minor Creative Writing concentration

South Dakota

Dakota Wesleyan University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Northern State University English Department Creative Writing BA

University of South Dakota English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Austin Peay State University Languages & Literature Department Creative Writing minor

Belmont University English Department Writing emphasis

Carson-Newman College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Cumberland University Humanities & Social Sciences Creative and Imaginative Writing BA

East Tennessee State University Literature & Language Department Creative Writing minor

Rhodes College English Department Creative Writing minor Summer Writing Institute

Tennessee Tech English Department Creative Writing concentration

Tennessee Wesleyan University English & Modern Languages Department Creative Writing BFA

Trevecca Nazarene University English Department Creative Writing minor

Tusculum College English Department Creative Writing concentration / minor

The University of Memphis English Department Creative Writing concentration

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga English Department Creative Writing BA

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville English Department Creative Writing concentration

Vanderbilt University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Angelo State University English Department Creative Writing specialization / minor

Austin College English Department Creative Writing major / minor

Austin Community College English Department Creative Writing Department

Baylor University English Department Creative Writing minor

Lamar University English & Modern Languages Department Writing concentration / minor

Midwestern State University Texas English Department Creative Writing concentration

Rice University English Department Creative Writing concentration

St. Edward’s University School of Humanities Creative Writing specialization

Sam Houston State University English Department Creative Writing minor

Southern Methodist University English Department Creative Writing specialization

Stephen F. Austin State University English & Creative Writing Department Creative Writing BFA

Texas A&M University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi English Department Creative Writing minor

Texas State University-San Marcos English Department Creative Writing emphasis Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center

Texas Tech University English Department Creative Writing concentration Trinity University English Department Creative Writing minor University of Houston English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of North Texas English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of St. Thomas School of Arts & Sciences Creative Writing focus & minor

University of Texas at Dallas Arts & Humanities Department Creative Writing minor

University of Texas at El Paso English Department Creative Writing major / minor

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Literatures and Cultural Studies Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Texas at San Antonio English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Brigham Young University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Southern Utah University English Department Creating Writing emphasis / minor

University of Utah English Department Creative Writing minor

Utah State University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University) English Department Creative Writing emphasis  / minor

Weber State University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Westminster College of Salt Lake City English Program Creative Writing emphasis

Champlain College Creative Writing specialization

Goddard College Creative Writing BFA

Marlboro College Creative Writing Program

Middlebury College English & American Literatures Department Creative Writing Program

Northern Vermont University English Department Creative Writing BFA

University of Vermont English Department Writing emphasis

Bennington College Literature Program

College of William & Mary English Department Creative Writing Program Creative Writing minor

Emory & Henry College English Program Literature & Creative Writing BA

Ferrum College English Department Liberal Studies Program

George Mason University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Hampden-Sydney College English Department Creative Writing minor

Hollins University English Department Jackson Center for Creative Writing

James Madison University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Longwood University English & Modern Languages Department Creative Writing major / minor

University of Lynchburg English Department Creative Writing minor

Marymount University Literature & Languages Department Writing track

Old Dominion University English Department Creative Writing minor

Radford University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Randolph College English Department Creative Writing BFA / minor

Randolph-Macon College English Department Writing major / minor

Roanoke College English Department Creative Writing concentration

Sweet Briar College English Department English & Creative Writing major / minor

University of Mary Washington English, Linguistics & Communication Department Creative Writing concentration

University of Richmond English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Virginia Area Program in Poetry Writing Area Program in Literary Prose

Virginia Commonwealth University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Virginia Tech English Department Creative Writing option

Washington and Lee University English Department Creative Writing minor

Antioch University Seattle BA in Liberal Studies, Creative Writing

Central Washington University English Department Creative Writing minor

Eastern Washington University English Department Creative Writing Program

Seattle Pacific University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Seattle University English Department Creative Writing Program

University of Puget Sound English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Washington English Department Creative Writing option

University of Washington Bothell School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences Creative Writing minor

Walla Walla University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Washington State University English Department Creative Writing option

Western Washington University English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Whitman College English Department Creative Writing minor

West Virginia

Alderson Broaddus College Creative Writing minor

Marshall University English Department Creative Writing option

Shepherd University Department of English & Modern Languages Creative Writing concentration

West Virginia University English Department Creative Writing concentration / minor

Beloit College English Department Creative Writing major

Carthage College English Department Creative Writing major

Lakeland College English Department Creative Writing BFA

Lawrence University English Department Creative Writing minor

Marquette University English Department Creative Writing minor

Mount Mary University Creative Writing major / minor

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay English Department Creative Writing emphasis

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Wisconsin-Madison English Department Creative Writing Program

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee English Department Creative Writing track

University of Wisconsin-Parkside English Department Creative Writing certificate

University of Wisconsin-River Falls English Department Creative Writing emphasis / minor

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point English Department Creative Writing minor

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Languages & Literature Department Creative Writing major / minor

University of Wyoming English Department Creative Writing minor

Capilano University English Department Creative Writing AA

Concordia University English Department Creative Writing Program

Dalhousie University English Department Creative Writing Program

Douglas College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

MacEwan College English Department Creative Writing minor

Kwantlen Polytechnic University English Department Creative Writing concentration

Okanagan College English Department Creative Writing emphasis

Thompson Rivers University English & Modern Languages Department Creative Writing minor

University of Alberta English Department Creative Writing Program

University of British Columbia English Department Creative Writing BFA

University of British Columbia – Okanagan Creative Writing BA

University of Calgary English Department Creative Writing concentration

University of New Brunswick English Department Creative Writing option

University of Victoria Writing Department Creative Writing minor

University of Windsor English Department English Literature & Creative Writing Programs

Vancouver Island University Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences Department Creative Writing major

York University English Department Creative Writing BA

International

American University of Paris (France) Comparative Literature & English Department Creative Writing Program Summer Creative Writing Institute

Loughborough University (UK) Arts, English & Drama Department Creative Writing emphasis

National University of Ireland, Galway (Ireland) Discipline of English English and Creative Writing BA

University College Dublin (Ireland) School of English, Drama and Film Creative Writing BA

University of Lincoln (England) School of English & Journalism Creative Writing BA

Browse Guide to Undergraduate Literary Magazines

Authority Badge

2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

There are about 21,191 students enrolled in creative writing in the usa..

Menu: summary

Above Average

Compared to national avg.

Diplomas received last year

Vs. National Avg.

popularity Rank

Median degree cost

Average Salary Two Years Out of School

salary Rank

Professor Rating

professors Rank

Diversity Rating

students Rank

Choosing to study Creative Writing is not only a valuable choice, but generally a requisite first step for students trying to enter a career as a creative content writer, a novel author, or a children's book author. Interestingly, creative writing is fairly common coming in at the 110th most popular area of study. Last academic year alone, there were 3,226 creative writing graduates. In-state tuition for creative writing at private colleges is, on average, 4.3 times more costly than their public counterparts.

There are 256 schools which offer creative writing. 256 institutions is fairly average in terms of the number of institutions which offer each degree. If you're looking to immerse yourself with other creative writing undergrads, consider colleges in New Hampshire which have more students admitted to creative writing than any other state. less precisely, the top region to pursue creative writing is in the New England region with Emerson College , Southern New Hampshire University , and Brown University  best representing the region. Interestingly, our pick of the best conference to study creative writing is the Northeast 10 Conference with Southern New Hampshire University  representing the conference. That being said, our choice for the best school for creative writing is Johns Hopkins University . You may also want to check out our list of best colleges .

The objectively best school might not actually be the best school for every student. There can be many more perspectives to weigh when choosing college. Stuff like campus amenities, transportation services, and food might sway one's feelings on where to go to college. At Authority, we've weighed the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you want to know which creative writing school has the top campus, the answer is Columbia University in the City of New York . If you are primarily interested in which university has the best campus, we have a whole page dedicated to that . We have carefully pored through student reviews, professor reviews, government databases, and more in order to evaluate each major in an unbiased and informative way. You can explore our comprehensive list for the colleges with the best student life &nbsphere and our choice for the college with the best student life for creative writing is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor . Are you curious why? Continue reading to find out more about Authority's top choices. Many of our picks might surprise you.

If expense is a primary factor in your decisions, you might be cautious about Columbia University in the City of New York . Columbia University in the City of New York &nbspappears to be the most expensive college for creative writing, at least regarding out of state students. That being said, we have an entire page for the most expensive &nbspcolleges that could put the price tag at Columbia University in the City of New York &nbspinto perspective. Additionally, you could want to know that creative writing is the 41st most expensive major in the nation, with an average cost of $50,600. On a broader scale, the most costly state for creative writing in the nation is Colorado with tuition and fees at the primary university, Colorado College, of $57,612. To zoom out even further, the most expensive region for creative writing is the Far West region which is best demonstrated with Chapman University  with a cost of $54,540, Pepperdine University  with a cost of $55,640, and University of Southern California  with a cost of $57,256.

Our cheapest region for creative writing is the Southwest region which is represented by University of Central Oklahoma  with a cost of $17,573, Stephen F Austin State University  with a cost of $16,224, and The University of Texas at El Paso  with a cost of $22,556. More optimistically, the most affordable college for creative writing is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus . Authority's entire list of the most affordable colleges can be found here .

In-state attendees can anticipate paying around $10,500 for a degree in creative writing. The price swells significantly to a median of $23,300 for the out-of-state public-school student. As such, you might be interested in our pick for the college constituting the best value for creative writing: Columbia University in the City of New York . Through this link you will see our comprehensive list for the colleges we believe to be the best value &nbspoverall. With that said, this discussion is based on the assumption that you are an out-of-state student. The value proposition changes when in-state tuition is considered, but we do not know in which states any one student has residency.

Earnings for creative writing students can differ, but two years after graduation graduates will often earn around $48,000. While there can be a lot of variation in pay; top earners can enjoy pay up to $80,900. Right out of school, the lowest earning positions within the creative writing field earn $28,100, which is an alright wage. The highest earning grads for creative writing come from Carnegie Mellon University &nbspand if you want to find the universities with all of the highest earning graduates , Authority has that too.

The general diversity of creative writing ranks subpar, ranking in the 27th percentile of majors nationally. The school with the highest composite diversity for creative writing is Carnegie Mellon University &nbspand here you can find our comprehensive list for the schools with the most diversity . The financial diversity of Creative Writing ranks only in the 23rd percentile of all majors. Racial diversity is even less in the 23rd percentile. White collegians make up the largest proportion, 74%, of those majoring in creative writing. Additionally, 70% of scholars pursuing a creative writing major are women.

The median ranking of creative writing's professors is 4.3 stars, a ranking which is 8% better than the median score for all majors; which is a fairly good score. If you want to find the most popular creative writing instructor in the nation, take a look at Kate Bligh from Concordia University-Chicago . This might be surprising, but the highest rated instructors of creative writing by student come from San Francisco State University . As we incorporate data other than just rankings it becomes clear that the school with comprehensively the best instructors for creative writing is Johns Hopkins University . One will find more detail on our evolving ranking methodology for the best overall professors here , as well as many of the best professors in the country.

Finally, the hardest school to get into for creative writing is Hampshire College . While we are unsure why you would be interested, we have a general list of the hardest colleges to get into . That being said, we hope you believe that looking at college from examples primarily formed from superlatives could cause issues. We at Authority hope you read our more nuanced pages on different universities and read a few of our background articles on beneficial details to look out for as your school search develops.

Top 25 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Search for the best Creative Writing colleges according to your filter parameters.

#1 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

.css-744h54:hover,.css-744h54[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;} Emerson College

Boston, MA | www.emerson.edu/

#2 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Knox College

Galesburg, IL | https://www.knox.edu/

#3 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY | www.columbia.edu/

#4 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD | www.jhu.edu/

#5 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Brown University

Providence, RI | www.brown.edu/

#6 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove, PA | www.susqu.edu/

#7 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY | www.hamilton.edu/

#8 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Colby College

Waterville, ME | www.colby.edu/

#9 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA | wwu.edu/

#10 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA | web.mit.edu/

#11 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Kansas City Art Institute

Kansas City, MO | www.kcai.edu/

#12 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Beloit College

Beloit, WI | www.beloit.edu/

#13 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Agnes Scott College

Decatur, GA | www.agnesscott.edu/

#14 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Oberlin College

Oberlin, OH | www.oberlin.edu/

#15 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Hampshire College

Amherst, MA | www.hampshire.edu/

#16 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL | www.uchicago.edu/

#17 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA | www.pitt.edu/

#18 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Emory University

Atlanta, GA | www.emory.edu/

#19 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA | www.cmu.edu/

#20 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA | www.harvard.edu/

#21 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA | www.bucknell.edu/

#22 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI | https://umich.edu/

#23 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA | www.fandm.edu/

#24 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN | www.macalester.edu/

#25 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA | www.upenn.edu/

Compare your school options

Elizabethtown College

Creative Writing Minor

Why Study Creative Writing?

Express yourself with a Creative Writing minor at Elizabethtown College! The minor gives students the opportunity to take classes in poetry and prose. Study the art of the short story, or the emerging field of creative non-fiction. The program is designed to be flexible so that it can be paired with any major.

What types of writing will I study in the Creative Writing program?

You will study a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres, including:

Creative Writing Classes

As a Creative Writing minor, you will take a variety of courses in fiction, creative non-fiction, and even art and graphic design. You will complete your studies with a capstone course - CW 386 Word, Web, and Design - that will apply your skills to digital projects.

Students can choose from these writing-based electives:

Additionally, they have the option of taking these image-based electives:

Career Paths for a Creative Writing Minor

The minor introduces students to the world of publishing and editing, both of which present exciting career paths. Strong writing skills are in high demand in virtually every field, and a Creative Writing minor serves as an excellent supplement to any major. Additionally, the image-based courses supplement your education to give you the potential to work in graphic arts positions.

Some possible careers for creative writing minors include:

Writing Resources on Campus

In addition to bringing authors and poets to campus as part of our Bowers Writers House programming, we foster students’ creative expression through our clubs and activities on campus. Fine Print is the campus literary magazine, which is open to all students to submit creative writing and artwork. The Creative Writing Club provides a space for writers to meet and share feedback. Occasionally, the High Library hosts fiction readings where students are invited to share their work.

IMAGES

  1. 11 Creative Writing Colleges ideas

    colleges with creative writing minors

  2. Top Creative Writing Colleges in the U.S.

    colleges with creative writing minors

  3. The Best Online MFA in Creative Writing Programs

    colleges with creative writing minors

  4. Top 10 Creative Writing Colleges for Students Wanting to Take a Creative Writing Degree

    colleges with creative writing minors

  5. 10 Best Creative Writing Colleges Shakespeare Would Love to Attend » Honor Rowi

    colleges with creative writing minors

  6. Creative Writing

    colleges with creative writing minors

VIDEO

  1. Make Writing Easier For All Academics

  2. College Essay Writing Workshop

  3. Alilala na minors! TERENCE CREATIVE REVEALS BIG SECRET AS HE CHALLENGES ANDREW KIBE!

  4. ACADEMIC WRITING 3

  5. 10 Do's and Dont's on How to Write Academically!

  6. Improve your ESSAYS📝🇬🇧

COMMENTS

  1. What Is the Definition of Minority Rights?

    Minority rights are rules and laws that are designed to legally protect the members of a non-dominant racial or ethnic group. These rules and laws are developed to meet the distinctive needs of these non-dominant groups, while also remainin...

  2. Top 40 Minority Owned Creative Agencies

    Find a Minority Owned creative agency today! Read client reviews & compare industry experience of leading Minority Owned creative agencies. Top 40 Minority Owned Creative Agencies Investing in creative design is the key to getting your busi...

  3. Scholarships for Minority College Students

    Scholarships can help make college more affordable, and there are tons of awards available to minority students. Learn more about scholarships for minority students and find awards that you can start applying to now. November 16, 2021 • 6 M...

  4. 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing Undergrad Degrees

    Best Colleges for a Creative Writing Undergraduate Degree · University of Iowa · Northwestern University · Columbia University · Emory University · Oberlin College.

  5. 15 Best Small Colleges for Creative Writing Degrees 2023

    Best Small Colleges for Aspiring Creative Writers 2023. #1. Princeton University. Princeton University-Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers. Website Score:

  6. 2023 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in America

    2023 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in America ; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, MA · Rating 4.14 out of 5

  7. 2022-2023 Colleges With Great Writing Programs

    Writing in the Disciplines · Brown University · University of Iowa · Yale University · Cornell University · Harvard University · Carleton College · Swarthmore College.

  8. 25 Best Colleges for Aspiring Creative Writers

    25 Best Colleges for Aspiring Creative Writers · 1. Emory University · 2. Columbia University · 3. Northwestern University · 4. Oberlin College · 5.

  9. Thirteen Colleges Every High School Creative Writer Should

    Thirteen Colleges Every High School Creative Writer Should Consider [Updated for 2019!] · 1 | Emory University · 2 | University of Virginia · 3 |

  10. Best Colleges for Creative Writing

    Hamilton College and the University of Iowa are some of the only colleges that offer majors in Creative Writing rather than just minors or

  11. The 12 Best Creative Writing Colleges and Programs

    The Best Creative Writing Schools · #1: Northwestern University · #2: Columbia University · #3: University of Iowa · #4: Emory University · #5:

  12. Undergraduate Creative Writing Programs

    A guide to undergraduate creative writing programs and classes in colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, and abroad.

  13. 2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing

    There are about 21,191 students enrolled in Creative Writing in the USA. · Top 25 Best Colleges for Creative Writing · Emerson College · Knox College · Columbia

  14. Creative Writing Minor

    Express yourself with a Creative Writing minor at Elizabethtown College! The minor gives students the opportunity to take classes in poetry and prose.