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 »
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Brown University
Providence, RI
- #1 in Writing in the Disciplines
- #13 in National Universities (tie)
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)
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
- #2 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #83 in National Universities (tie)
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)
Yale University
New Haven, CT
- #3 in National Universities (tie)
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.
Cornell University
- #4 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #17 in National Universities
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.
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.
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
- #6 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #6 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
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.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
- #4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
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.
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
- #8 in Writing in the Disciplines
- #2 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
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.
Duke University
- #9 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #10 in National Universities (tie)
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.
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
- #1 in National Universities
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.
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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 12 best creative writing colleges and programs.
College Info
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:
- #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities. However, many schools with great undergrad programs do not offer MFAs, in which case I simply focused on the other four options.
- #2: General School Reputation —The vast majority of your classes won't be in creative writing, so it's important that other parts of the school, especially the English department, are great as well.
- #3: Extracurricular Opportunities —One of the key advantages of majoring in creative writing is that it can provide access to writing opportunities outside the classroom, so I took what kind of internship programs, author readings, and literary magazines the school offers into consideration.
- #4: Diversity of Class Options —I gave extra points to schools with a variety of genre options and specific, interesting classes.
- #5: Alumni/Prestige —This last criterion is a bit more subjective: is the school known for turning out good writers? Certainly it's less important than what kind of education you'll actually get, but having a brand-name degree (so to speak) can be helpful.
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.
#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.
#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.
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 .
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2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing Undergrad Degrees
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:
- Does the Program Have the Courses You Want?
- What Will You Learn? Will that help you build a career?
- Who Will Be Teaching Those Classes?
- Would you Feel at Home on the College Campus?
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!
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA •
- • Rating 4.14 out of 5 652 reviews
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
- grade A+ Overall Niche Grade
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 •
- • Rating 3.83 out of 5 1,051 reviews
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 1,051 reviews
Acceptance rate 8%
Net price $27,659
SAT range 1440-1560
#9 Best Colleges in America .
Blue checkmark.
PROVIDENCE, RI ,
1051 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 1051 reviews.
Acceptance Rate : 8% ,
Net Price : $27,659 ,
SAT Range : 1440-1560 ,
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH •
- • Rating 3.86 out of 5 722 reviews
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 ,
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University of pennsylvania.
Philadelphia, PA •
- • Rating 3.88 out of 5 1,309 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.81 out of 5 1,301 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.69 out of 5 1,448 reviews
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 ,
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Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO •
- • Rating 4.09 out of 5 1,523 reviews
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 1,523 reviews
Acceptance rate 16%
Net price $27,233
SAT range 1480-1560
#15 Best Colleges in America .
SAINT LOUIS, MO ,
1523 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 1523 reviews.
Acceptance Rate : 16% ,
Net Price : $27,233 ,
SAT Range : 1480-1560 ,
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL •
- • Rating 3.77 out of 5 1,224 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.65 out of 5 1,367 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.69 out of 5 1,440 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.93 out of 5 4,515 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.97 out of 5 3,917 reviews
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 3,917 reviews
Net price $39,759
SAT range 1340-1530
#28 Best Colleges in America .
LOS ANGELES, CA ,
3917 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 3917 reviews.
Net Price : $39,759 ,
SAT Range : 1340-1530 ,
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Emory University
Atlanta, GA •
- • Rating 3.82 out of 5 1,569 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.76 out of 5 614 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.97 out of 5 6,520 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.93 out of 5 258 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.85 out of 5 2,980 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.7 out of 5 477 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.88 out of 5 7,312 reviews
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 7,312 reviews
Acceptance rate 56%
Net price $26,151
SAT range 1160-1360
#64 Best Colleges in America .
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA ,
7312 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 7312 reviews.
Acceptance Rate : 56% ,
Net Price : $26,151 ,
SAT Range : 1160-1360 ,
Colby College
Waterville, ME •
- • Rating 3.74 out of 5 554 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.78 out of 5 4,521 reviews
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 4,521 reviews
Net price $9,661
SAT range 1200-1470
#70 Best Colleges in America .
SEATTLE, WA ,
4521 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 4521 reviews.
Net Price : $9,661 ,
SAT Range : 1200-1470 ,
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY •
- • Rating 3.65 out of 5 1,570 reviews
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 •
- • Rating 3.8 out of 5 4,946 reviews
Sophomore: I absolutely loved Purdue during my Freshman year. I will be a sophomore in the fall and am very excited. Purdue has already opened so many doors for me. I was able to study abroad in Spain as a freshman this summer. It was a truly incredible experience. I was placed in a double with A/C and community bathrooms. Community bathrooms are not as bad as you may think. There were 6 showers on the floor, 7 counting the one in the guest bathroom on each floor. Easily more than 40 people lived on my floor, and I only had to wait once for a shower to open up all year long. The bathrooms were very clean. The dorm lobbies have things like pool tables, ping-pong tables, great study areas, and so much more. There are a lot of great clubs to join, and there is the option to start your own club. The food was pretty good. A lot of fried options though. Sporting events are very exciting to attend. Purdue has a lot to offer from a great degree to a true college experience. Boiler Up! ... Read 4,946 reviews
Acceptance rate 67%
Net price $12,294
SAT range 1170-1420
#79 Best Colleges in America .
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN ,
4946 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.
Featured Review: Sophomore says I absolutely loved Purdue during my Freshman year. I will be a sophomore in the fall and am very excited. Purdue has already opened so many doors for me. I was able to study abroad in Spain as a... .
Read 4946 reviews.
Acceptance Rate : 67% ,
Net Price : $12,294 ,
SAT Range : 1170-1420 ,
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX •
- • Rating 3.84 out of 5 1,535 reviews
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% ,
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Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN •
- • Rating 3.79 out of 5 457 reviews
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
- grade A Overall Niche Grade
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... .
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Overall Niche Grade : A ,
Acceptance Rate : 39% ,
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Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO •
- • Rating 3.66 out of 5 785 reviews
Sophomore: I like Colorado College, and the block plan and small size really intrigued me into coming here, even though I'm not a native Coloradan. It's definitely a great location if you love the outdoors. Those are the main reasons I chose this school. I quickly learned that I could fit in here! However, from being here for two months, I have noticed some of the struggles the area and the school has, including housing and crime. Many cities have these issues, but CC in the Greater Colorado Springs area has tried to fix them to a degree, but there's clearly still work to be done... Not to be too pessimistic, however, I will say though that I've met many really nice people on CC's campus, especially the students, although I do tend to see the liberal and privileged side of things in a simple classroom environment often. I would say for this school to truly be diverse as they say, CC needs more diverse viewpoints as a whole. For now, CC has an amazing mathematics department, and that's my major. ... Read 785 reviews
Acceptance rate 14%
Net price $27,319
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COLORADO SPRINGS, CO ,
785 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.
Featured Review: Sophomore says I like Colorado College, and the block plan and small size really intrigued me into coming here, even though I'm not a native Coloradan. It's definitely a great location if you love the outdoors.... Not to be too pessimistic, however, I will say though that I've met many really nice people on CC's campus, especially the students, although I do tend to see the liberal and privileged side of... .
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Acceptance Rate : 14% ,
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Best colleges for creative writing.
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.
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:
- English B.A. to take different types of writing courses,
- Comparative Literature B.A .
- Literary Arts B.A .
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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:
- English B.A .
- Minor in creative writing
- Program in Writing and Rhetoric , which gives students the opportunity to pursue a writing project of their choice to gain useful research experience.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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- Campus Life
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!
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.
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.
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).
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 .
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.
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.
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!
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Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
It's a great time to get into Creative Writing and find the best school for your undergraduate Creative Writing degree on our list of the Best Creative Writing Colleges and Universities in America.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4 Year • Cambridge , MA • 10 reviews
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit university based in Cambridge , Massachusetts . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,097 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 7 %.
# 1 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Brown University
4 Year • Providence , RI • 10 reviews
Brown University is a private not-for-profit university based in Providence , Rhode Island . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,637 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 8 %.
# 2 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Columbia University in the City of New York
4 Year • New York , NY • 10 reviews
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit university based in New York , New York . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,547 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 6 %.
# 3 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Northwestern University
4 Year • Evanston , IL • 10 reviews
Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit university based in Evanston , Illinois . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,903 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 9 %.
# 4 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Washington University in St Louis
4 Year • Saint Louis , MO • 10 reviews
Washington University in St Louis is a private not-for-profit university based in Saint Louis , Missouri . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,778 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 15 %.
# 5 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Dartmouth College
4 Year • Hanover , NH • 10 reviews
Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit university based in Hanover , New Hampshire . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,215 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 10 %.
# 6 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
4 Year • Ann Arbor , MI • 10 reviews
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public university based in Ann Arbor , Michigan . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 6,879 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 26 %.
# 7 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
University of Southern California
4 Year • Los Angeles , CA • 10 reviews
University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit university based in Los Angeles , California . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 3,358 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 15 %.
# 8 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Johns Hopkins University
4 Year • Baltimore , MD • 10 reviews
Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit university based in Baltimore , Maryland . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,420 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 12 %.
# 9 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Carnegie Mellon University
4 Year • Pittsburgh , PA • 10 reviews
Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit university based in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,676 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 22 %.
# 10 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
Emory University
4 Year • Atlanta , GA • 10 reviews
Emory University is a private not-for-profit university based in Atlanta , Georgia . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,388 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 22 %.
# 11 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
The University of Texas at Austin
4 Year • Austin , TX • 9 reviews
The University of Texas at Austin is a public university based in Austin , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 8,381 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 36 %.
# 12 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America
15 Best Small Colleges for Creative Writing Degrees 2023
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:
- graduation rate
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:
- national ranking
- return on investment
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.
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:
- Michael Dickman
- Jhumpa Lahiri
- and Kirsten Valdez Quade among others.
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
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
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:
- science fiction
- documentary poetry.
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
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
Website Score: 89.66
Swarthmore’s creative writing program consists of yearly workshops in:
- playwriting.
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:
- Kofi Anyidoho
- Hilma Wolitzer
- Elizabeth Benedict
- Jonathan Franzen.
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
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:
- identity and difference
- single author
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
Website Score: 84.11
The English major at Bowdoin features British, American, and global literature of many genres. Courses include:
- creative nonfiction
- screenwriting.
The program is interdisciplinary, so students will engage with:
- Africana studies
- Asian studies
- sexuality and women’s studies
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
Website Score: 83.65
Amherst’s creative writing program features faculty from many different departments. Courses are offered in:
- non-fictional prose
- translation.
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
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:
- playwriting
- screenwriting
- creative nonfiction.
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
Website Score: 79.64
Creative writing courses at Wellesley are pass/fail. Student writers will take workshops in:
- creative non-fiction.
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
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:
- prose fiction
- television writing
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
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:
- the craft of fiction
- the craft of nonfiction
There are also special topic courses. These address specific issues such as writing the land, and advanced seminars on:
- nonfiction.
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
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:
- creative writing, advanced
- cw: fiction
- advanced cw: poetry.
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
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:
- instruction
- studio training
- coursework across many genres
Genres include:
- translation
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 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:
- copywriting
- technical writing
- science writing
- public relations writing
- speech writing.
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:
- screenplays
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:
- Emory University
- Duke University
- Washington University
- Columbia University in New York
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:
- computer science (or any STEM field)
- social sciences
- philosophy,
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:
- 20 Deals: Small Colleges for Environmentally-minded
- 50 Best Deals on Competitive Small Colleges
- Top 50 Great Deals on Bachelor’s Degrees Online
By Adam Birch Updated March 2022
2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing
There are about 21,191 students enrolled in creative writing in the usa..
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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  here 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  appears 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  colleges that could put the price tag at Columbia University in the City of New York  into 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  overall. 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  and 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  and 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/
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Writing in the Disciplines · Brown University · University of Iowa · Yale University · Cornell University · Harvard University · Carleton College · Swarthmore College.
The Best Creative Writing Schools · #1: Northwestern University · #2: Columbia University · #3: University of Iowa · #4: Emory University · #5:
Best Colleges for a Creative Writing Undergraduate Degree · University of Iowa · Northwestern University · Columbia University · Emory University · Oberlin College.
2023 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in America ; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, MA · Rating 4.14 out of 5
1. Brown University · 2. Duke University · 3. Carleton College · 4. Yale University · 5. Amherst College · 6. Swarthmore College · 7. Cornell
1. Emory University · 2. Columbia University · 3. Northwestern University · 4. Oberlin College · 5. Hamilton College · 6. Stanford University · 7.
Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Kansas ; Wichita State University · 93% · $23,758 · 1000-1275 · 20-27 ; Southwestern College · 96% · $42,821 · 840-1030.
Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in America · Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Brown University · Columbia University in the City of New York.
Best Small Colleges for Aspiring Creative Writers 2023. #1. Princeton University. Princeton University-Top 15 Best Small Colleges for Writers. Website Score:
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