Creative writing helps you tell amazing stories. Picking the right college is super important. Here are the 30 best college for Creative Writing in 2024. We’ll cover GPA, Median SAT, Median ACT, Acceptance Rate, Requirements, Professional Outcomes, and Academic Highlights.
What is the Creative Writing?
Creative writing is writing that goes beyond regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms. It focuses on telling stories, developing characters, and using creative techniques. Because of this broad definition, some feature stories in journalism can be considered creative writing if they emphasize narrative and character development.
Creative writing includes both fiction and non-fiction, such as novels, biographies, short stories, and poems. In school, creative writing classes are usually split into fiction and poetry, encouraging students to write in their own unique style rather than copying existing genres like crime or horror. Screenwriting and playwriting, which are writing for movies and theater, are also part of creative writing but are often taught in separate classes.
Best Colleges for Creative Writing
Choosing the right college for Creative Writing is important. These colleges offer great programs and opportunities. Each has unique strengths to help you succeed. Consider your interests and career goals when deciding. Good luck with your writing journey!
1. University of Iowa
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become successful writers and authors. They earn about $45,000 annually. Many work in publishing, journalism, and teaching.
Academic Highlights: Iowa has a famous writing program. Students learn from award-winning writers. Workshops and peer reviews improve writing skills. They publish work in well-known journals.
2. New York University
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates publish books, write for TV. Many work in media, earning around $50,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: NYU offers writing courses and workshops. Students intern at top publishing houses. They study literature and creative writing techniques.
3. University of Michigan
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1380
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become novelists, editors, and screenwriters. They earn about $48,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Michigan has a strong writing community. Students join writing clubs and attend author talks. They gain experience through internships.
4. Columbia University
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates publish in top magazines. They earn around $55,000 yearly. Many work in New York City.
Academic Highlights: Columbia offers advanced writing workshops. Students learn from famous writers. They participate in literary events and festivals.
5. University of Texas at Austin
GPA: 3.75
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become authors, poets, and playwrights. They earn about $46,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Texas has a vibrant writing program. Students explore various writing styles. They join writing groups and attend readings.
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6. Emory University
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing and media. They earn around $47,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: Emory offers personalized writing instruction. Students work closely with professors. They publish their work in literary journals.
7. University of Virginia
GPA: 3.85
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become successful authors. They earn about $50,000 annually. Many work in publishing and teaching.
Academic Highlights: Virginia has a strong writing tradition. Students attend writing workshops and seminars. They engage in literary discussions.
8. Oberlin College
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become novelists, poets, and editors. They earn about $45,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Oberlin offers a creative writing major. Students write and share their work. They receive feedback from peers and professors.
9. University of California, Irvine
GPA: 3.75
Median SAT: 1330
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 29%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates publish books and articles. They earn around $48,000 yearly. Many work in media and publishing.
Academic Highlights: Irvine has a renowned writing program. Students attend workshops and author readings. They participate in writing contests.
10. Johns Hopkins University
GPA: 3.85
Median SAT: 1460
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become successful writers and editors. They earn about $53,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Hopkins offers a top-tier writing program. Students learn from accomplished authors. They publish in literary magazines.
11. Washington University in St. Louis
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1420
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates publish in magazines and books. They earn around $50,000 yearly. Many work in creative industries.
Academic Highlights: Washington offers writing workshops and seminars. Students receive guidance from experienced writers. They engage in literary activities.
12. Brown University
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become authors, poets, and journalists. They earn about $52,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Brown has a flexible writing program. Students explore various genres. They publish their work in literary journals.
13. Boston University
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 22%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $49,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: Boston offers a diverse writing curriculum. Students learn from award-winning authors. They participate in writing workshops and events.
14. Stanford University
GPA: 3.95
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates publish books and articles. They earn about $55,000 annually. Many work in top media outlets.
Academic Highlights: Stanford has a prestigious writing program. Students learn from famous writers. They attend literary festivals and workshops.
Best universities for Creative Writing
15. University of Wisconsin-Madison
GPA: 3.75
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $47,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: Wisconsin offers a strong writing program. Students participate in workshops and readings. They publish in literary magazines.
16. University of Oregon
GPA: 3.65
Median SAT: 1250
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become novelists, poets, and screenwriters. They earn about $45,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Oregon has a vibrant writing community. Students join writing clubs and attend author talks. They gain experience through internships.
17. Northwestern University
GPA: 3.85
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $52,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: Northwestern offers advanced writing courses. Students learn from accomplished authors. They publish their work in literary journals.
18. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
GPA: 3.75
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become authors, poets, and journalists. They earn about $48,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: UNC has a strong writing tradition. Students attend workshops and seminars. They engage in literary discussions.
19. Syracuse University
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates publish books and articles. They earn around $46,000 yearly. Many work in media and publishing.
Academic Highlights: Syracuse offers a comprehensive writing program. Students participate in workshops and author readings. They publish their work in literary magazines.
20. University of Miami
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1280
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $45,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: Miami has a diverse writing curriculum. Students learn from experienced writers. They participate in writing workshops and events.
21. University of Arizona
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: 1250
Median ACT: 26
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become authors, poets, and editors. They earn about $44,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Arizona offers a creative writing major. Students write and share their work. They receive feedback from peers and professors.
22. University of Pittsburgh
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1270
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $45,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: Pittsburgh has a strong writing program. Students participate in workshops and readings. They publish in literary magazines.
23. University of Denver
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become novelists, poets, and screenwriters. They earn about $45,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Denver offers a vibrant writing community. Students join writing clubs and attend author talks. They gain experience through internships.
24. Southern Methodist University
GPA: 3.75
Median SAT: 1330
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $47,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: SMU offers a comprehensive writing program. Students learn from experienced authors. They participate in workshops and publish their work.
25. University of Southern California
GPA: 3.85
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become successful writers and editors. They earn about $52,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: USC has a prestigious writing program. Students learn from famous authors. They attend literary events and workshops.
26. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
GPA: 3.65
Median SAT: 1320
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $46,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: Illinois offers a strong writing curriculum. Students participate in workshops and readings. They publish their work in literary journals.
27. Florida State University
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1290
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates publish books and articles. They earn around $45,000 yearly. Many work in media and publishing.
Academic Highlights: FSU has a comprehensive writing program. Students attend workshops and author readings. They engage in literary activities.
28. University of Kansas
GPA: 3.55
Median SAT: 1250
Median ACT: 26
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become novelists, poets, and screenwriters. They earn about $44,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Kansas has a vibrant writing community. Students join writing clubs and attend author talks. They gain experience through internships.
29. University of New Mexico
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: 1200
Median ACT: 24
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in publishing, media, and education. They earn around $43,000 yearly.
Academic Highlights: New Mexico offers a creative writing major. Students write and share their work. They receive feedback from peers and professors.
30. University of Alabama
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1260
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates become authors, poets, and editors. They earn about $45,000 annually.
Academic Highlights: Alabama offers a strong writing program. Students participate in workshops and readings. They publish in literary magazines.
Colleges with Good Creative Writing Programs – Conclusion
Creative writing is a versatile and expressive form of writing that extends beyond traditional professional, journalistic, academic, or technical boundaries. It encompasses a wide range of genres, including fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting, allowing writers to craft unique narratives and develop compelling characters. By encouraging originality and creativity, creative writing provides a platform for writers to explore and express their ideas in innovative ways, making it an essential and enriching aspect of literature and storytelling.