Best institutions to study Creative Writing
A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others.
448 U.S. institutions graduated 7,090 Creative Writing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 23.1302, a specialization of Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (CIP 23.13), and leads most directly to the Editors occupation (BLS SOC 27-3041).
About Creative Writing programs
A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others. Includes instruction in technical and editorial skills, criticism, and the marketing of finished manuscripts.
See also: 50.0504 - Playwriting and Screenwriting.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Creative Writing program, part of Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, focuses on the art and techniques of original composition across various literary forms, including poetry, short stories, and novels. This program is designed for individuals passionate about storytelling and writing, aiming to enhance their creative expression and technical skills in writing.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework often includes instruction in editorial skills, manuscript marketing, and the evaluation of literary works, preparing graduates for diverse writing-related careers.
Credentials awarded
What Creative Writing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,187 graduates / yr · 229 institutions45%
- Master's degree3,121 graduates / yr · 208 institutions44%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year350 graduates / yr · 47 institutions4.9%
- Associate's degree283 graduates / yr · 38 institutions4.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate97 graduates / yr · 19 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years34 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.2%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
Graduates over time
Creative Writing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,275 |
| 2013 | 6,326 |
| 2014 | 6,388 |
| 2015 | 6,825 |
| 2016 | 6,378 |
| 2017 | 6,365 |
| 2018 | 6,180 |
| 2019 | 6,372 |
| 2020 | 6,267 |
| 2021 | 6,461 |
| 2022 | 6,780 |
| 2023 | 7,161 |
| 2024 | 7,097 |
| 2025 | 7,090 |
Top 50 institutions for Creative Writing, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 759 | 43% | $34,565 | $30,077 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 333 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 3 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 229 | 77% | $40,982 | $33,441 |
| 4 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 144 | 96% | $15,315 | $36,244 |
| 5 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 109 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 105 | 85% | — | $35,700 |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 96 | 94% | $11,888 | $43,524 |
| 8 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 91 | 65% | — | $27,116 |
| 9 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 90 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 89 | 89% | — | $38,713 |
| 11 | Vermont College of Fine Arts Montpelier, VTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 86 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 85 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 13 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 80 | 76% | — | $21,765 |
| 14 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 70 | 71% | — | $24,205 |
| 15 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 65 | 69% | $54,185 | — |
| 16 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 60 | 52% | $28,087 | $25,060 |
| 17 | Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 57 | 63% | $27,082 | — |
| 18 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 50% | — | $32,431 |
| 19 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster's | 52 | 75% | — | $29,647 |
| 20 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 82% | $42,965 | $23,939 |
| 21 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 47 | 75% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 85% | — | $29,758 |
| 23 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 70% | — | — |
| 24 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 45 | 50% | — | — |
| 25 | Antioch University - Los Angeles Culver City, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 45 | — | — | — |
| 26 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 68% | — | $26,715 |
| 27 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 54% | — | $20,242 |
| 28 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WAPublicBachelor's | 43 | 54% | — | $27,832 |
| 29 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus Madison, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 42 | 67% | $23,573 | — |
| 30 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 42 | 68% | — | $40,114 |
| 31 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 39 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 32 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 39 | 82% | — | $24,377 |
| 33 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 39 | 76% | — | — |
| 34 | Pacific University Forest Grove, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 39 | 67% | $30,571 | — |
| 35 | Western Colorado University Gunnison, COPublicMaster's | 38 | 50% | — | — |
| 36 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 37 | 53% | — | — |
| 37 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 60% | — | $31,148 |
| 38 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 36 | 93% | — | $31,239 |
| 39 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 48% | — | — |
| 40 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 96% | $14,644 | $30,741 |
| 41 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 34 | 47% | — | $26,360 |
| 42 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 80% | — | $42,287 |
| 43 | Seton Hill University Greensburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 33 | 67% | $19,887 | — |
| 44 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 82% | $23,620 | $19,753 |
| 45 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 32 | 60% | $20,981 | $20,059 |
| 46 | Spalding University Louisville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 52% | $23,661 | — |
| 47 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 31 | 59% | — | — |
| 48 | Randolph College Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 31 | 46% | $18,525 | — |
| 49 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 30 | 84% | $36,845 | — |
| 50 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NYPublicBachelor's | 30 | 60% | — | $28,103 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies field (CIP 23.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where Creative Writing graduates come from. Each state links to all Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Creative Writing program can pursue careers as editors, writers, and postsecondary teachers, among other roles. The job outlook indicates little or no change in employment opportunities, with approximately 9,800 annual openings and a median wage of $75,260 for positions typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 23.1302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Editorsprimary SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | Bachelor's degree |
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1123 | $78,760 | 0.0% Little or no change | ~5,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Creative Writing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
Tools and technology used
Other Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (CIP 23.13).
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific WritingCIP 23.13033,683 graduates / yr161 institutions
- Rhetoric and CompositionCIP 23.13041,283 graduates / yr81 institutions
- WritingCIP 23.1301674 graduates / yr101 institutions
- Rhetoric and Composition/CIP 23.1399
Writing Studies 581 graduates / yr16 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can become an editor, writer, or postsecondary teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 9,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Creative Writing?+
Creative Writing is CIP 23.1302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (CIP 23.13). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others. Includes instruction in technical and editorial skills, criticism, and the marketing of finished manuscripts.
How many institutions offer Creative Writing programs?+
448 U.S. institutions reported Creative Writing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 7,090 credentials in the year. That is 53.3% of all Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates.
How much do Creative Writing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Editors occupation, which Creative Writing most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies field report median earnings of $27,832 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card