100 Best colleges for Creative Writing in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 2.25M citations received by 139K academic papers made by 463 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Creative Writing

#2 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

2. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Creative Writing

#3 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

3. University of Texas at Austin

For Creative Writing

#4 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

4. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Creative Writing

#6 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Creative Writing

#7 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

6. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Creative Writing

#8 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

7. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Creative Writing

#10 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

8. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Creative Writing

#11 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

9. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Creative Writing

#12 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

10. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Creative Writing

#13 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

11. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Creative Writing

#14 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

12. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Creative Writing

#15 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

13. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Creative Writing

#16 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

14. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Creative Writing

#17 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

15. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Creative Writing

#18 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

16. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Creative Writing

#19 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

17. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Creative Writing

#20 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

18. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Creative Writing

#21 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

19. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Creative Writing

#22 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

20. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Creative Writing

#23 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,986

21. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Creative Writing

#25 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

22. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Creative Writing

#27 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

23. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Creative Writing

#28 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,590

24. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Creative Writing

#29 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

25. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Creative Writing

#30 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

26. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Creative Writing

#31 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,811

27. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Creative Writing

#32 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

28. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Creative Writing

#33 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

29. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Creative Writing

#34 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,732
Enrollment: 26,068

30. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Creative Writing

#35 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

31. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Creative Writing

#36 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

32. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Creative Writing

#37 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

33. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Creative Writing

#39 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,967

34. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Creative Writing

#40 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

35. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Creative Writing

#41 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

36. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Creative Writing

#42 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

37. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Creative Writing

#43 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

38. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Creative Writing

#44 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

39. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Creative Writing

#46 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

40. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Creative Writing

#47 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $11,891
Enrollment: 30,205

41. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Creative Writing

#48 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

42. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Creative Writing

#49 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

43. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Creative Writing

#50 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

44. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Creative Writing

#51 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

45. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Creative Writing

#53 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,564
Enrollment: 19,764

46. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Creative Writing

#54 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

47. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Creative Writing

#55 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

48. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Creative Writing

#56 in North America

#103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

49. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Creative Writing

#57 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

50. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Creative Writing

#58 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

51. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Creative Writing

#59 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

52. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Creative Writing

#60 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

53. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Creative Writing

#61 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

54. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Creative Writing

#64 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

55. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Creative Writing

#65 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,083

56. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Creative Writing

#67 in North America

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

57. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Creative Writing

#68 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

58. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Creative Writing

#69 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

59. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Creative Writing

#70 in North America

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

60. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Creative Writing

#71 in North America

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

61. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Creative Writing

#72 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

62. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Creative Writing

#73 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $14,643

63. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Creative Writing

#75 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

64. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Creative Writing

#76 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

65. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Creative Writing

#77 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

66. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Creative Writing

#78 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

67. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Creative Writing

#79 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

68. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Creative Writing

#80 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 73%

69. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Creative Writing

#81 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

70. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Creative Writing

#82 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 84%

71. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Creative Writing

#83 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

72. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Creative Writing

#85 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

73. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Creative Writing

#86 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

74. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Creative Writing

#87 in North America

#173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

75. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Creative Writing

#88 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

76. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Creative Writing

#89 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

77. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Creative Writing

#91 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Enrollment: 9,116
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1961

78. University of Memphis

Tennessee | Memphis

For Creative Writing

#93 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1055
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 97%

79. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Creative Writing

#95 in North America

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $51,520

80. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Creative Writing

#96 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

81. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Creative Writing

#97 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 86%

82. San Jose State University

California | San Jose

For Creative Writing

#98 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 67%
Average Aid: $11,311
Enrollment: 36,062

83. Miami University - Oxford

For Creative Writing

#99 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 98%

84. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Creative Writing

#100 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,747
Enrollment: 16,880

85. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Creative Writing

#101 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,592

86. University of North Texas

For Creative Writing

#102 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 91%

87. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Creative Writing

#103 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

88. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina | Charlotte

For Creative Writing

#104 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 72%

89. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Creative Writing

#105 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $33,333

90. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Creative Writing

#106 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

91. Kent State University at Kent

For Creative Writing

#107 in North America

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 96%

92. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Creative Writing

#108 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

93. California State University - Fullerton

California | Fullerton

For Creative Writing

#109 in North America

#233 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $10,445
Enrollment: 41,962

94. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Creative Writing

#110 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,466

95. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Creative Writing

#111 in North America

#239 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

96. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For Creative Writing

#113 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

97. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Creative Writing

#115 in North America

#253 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,608

98. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Creative Writing

#116 in North America

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

99. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Creative Writing

#117 in North America

#257 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

100. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Creative Writing

#118 in North America

#261 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

The best cities to study Creative Writing in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are New York, Stanford, Austin, and New Haven.