Creative Writing

CIP Code: 23.1302

A creative writing degree prepares graduates for careers in Postsecondary teachers, all other, English language and literature teachers, postsecondary, Editors and more. 441 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
7,423
Colleges Offering 441
Avg. Career Salary $76,073
Top Career Salary $78,490

What Can You Do With a Creative Writing Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Postsecondary teachers, all other

$78,490 +1.8% growth

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

$78,270 +0.0% growth

Editors

$75,260 +0.6% growth

Writers and authors

$72,270 +3.6% growth
$76,073
Average Salary Across Careers
$78,490
Highest Paying Career
4
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in creative writing.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 39 A+
2 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 165 A
3 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 90 A
4 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 84 A
5 New York University New York, NY 82 A
6 Harvard University Cambridge, MA 76 A
7 Brown University Providence, RI 51 A
8 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 40 A
9 University of Chicago Chicago, IL 38 A
10 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 35 A
11 Emory University Atlanta, GA 32 A
12 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO 29 A
13 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA 98 B+
14 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 46 B+
15 Binghamton University Vestal, NY 36 B+
16 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY 30 B+
17 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 26 B+
18 Emerson College Boston, MA 228 B
19 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA 129 B
20 University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA 102 B
21 The New School New York, NY 83 B
22 University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC 66 B
23 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 53 B
24 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 50 B
25 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 49 B
26 University of Denver Denver, CO 48 B
27 Chapman University Orange, CA 47 B
28 Oberlin College Oberlin, OH 38 B
29 CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY 37 B
30 Portland State University Portland, OR 35 B

Largest Creative Writing Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most creative writing graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH 785 C
2 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 289 C+
3 Emerson College Boston, MA 228 B
4 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 165 A
5 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA 129 B
6 University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA 102 B
7 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA 98 B+
8 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 90 A
9 Vermont College of Fine Arts Montpelier, VT 86 D
10 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 84 A
11 The New School New York, NY 83 B
12 New York University New York, NY 82 A
13 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO 81 C+
14 Harvard University Cambridge, MA 76 A
15 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA 68 C+
16 University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC 66 B
17 Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 65 C
18 Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC 57 C+
19 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 53 B
20 Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL 52 C
21 Brown University Providence, RI 51 A
22 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 50 B
23 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX 50 C+
24 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH 50 C+
25 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 49 B
26 Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY 49 C+
27 University of Denver Denver, CO 48 B
28 Chapman University Orange, CA 47 B
29 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 46 B+
30 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA 45 C+
7,423
Degrees Awarded Annually
441
Colleges Offering Program
4
Related Careers

About Creative Writing

Creative Writing is a degree program offered at 441 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 7,423 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as postsecondary teachers, all other, english language and literature teachers, postsecondary, editors, writers and authors.

Program Classification

CIP Code 23.1302
Field (2-digit CIP) 23
Category (4-digit CIP) 23.13

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Creative Writing degree?
A Creative Writing degree can lead to careers as a postsecondary teachers, all other, english language and literature teachers, postsecondary, editors, writers and authors, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $78,490 annually.
How many colleges offer Creative Writing?
441 colleges and universities in the United States offer Creative Writing as a degree program. Each year, approximately 7,423 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Creative Writing?
The best colleges for Creative Writing based on Repit's ratings include University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Columbia University in the City of New York, The University of Texas at Austin, Johns Hopkins University, New York University. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Creative Writing degree?
Graduates with a Creative Writing degree can expect average salaries around $76,073 in related careers, with top earners making up to $78,490. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.