100 Best colleges for Creative Writing in the United States

Updated: July 18, 2023

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 693M citations received by 21.4M academic papers made by 356 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: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $12,411

2. University of Texas at Austin

For Creative Writing

#3 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Creative Writing

#4 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $16,326
Enrollment: 50,278

4. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Creative Writing

#6 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 83%

5. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Creative Writing

#7 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $14,402

6. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Creative Writing

#8 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,605

7. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Creative Writing

#10 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,021

8. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Creative Writing

#11 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $21,406
Enrollment: 45,036

9. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Creative Writing

#12 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Receiving Aid: 73%
Average Aid: $8,719
Enrollment: 40,363

10. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Creative Writing

#13 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 85%

11. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Creative Writing

#14 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $50,991

12. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Creative Writing

#15 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $33,727

13. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Creative Writing

#16 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $14,578

14. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Creative Writing

#17 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 64%

15. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Creative Writing

#18 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $13,910

16. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Creative Writing

#19 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $12,201
Enrollment: 77,881

17. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Creative Writing

#20 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $17,592
Enrollment: 46,116

18. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Creative Writing

#22 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $24,262

19. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Creative Writing

#24 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 60%

20. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Creative Writing

#25 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Receiving Aid: 54%
Average Aid: $15,895
Enrollment: 52,434

21. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Creative Writing

#26 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 72%

22. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Creative Writing

#27 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1480
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $28,367

23. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Creative Writing

#28 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $25,852

24. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Creative Writing

#29 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 68%

25. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Creative Writing

#31 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 99%

26. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Creative Writing

#32 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,908

27. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Creative Writing

#33 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 63%

28. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Creative Writing

#34 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 95%

29. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Creative Writing

#35 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $18,107
Enrollment: 26,124

30. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Creative Writing

#36 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

31. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Creative Writing

#37 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,159

32. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Creative Writing

#38 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

33. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Creative Writing

#39 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 79%

34. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Creative Writing

#40 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $16,868
Enrollment: 36,505

35. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Creative Writing

#41 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 72%

36. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Creative Writing

#42 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,553

37. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Creative Writing

#43 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $37,450

38. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Creative Writing

#45 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1480
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,049

39. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Creative Writing

#46 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 78%

40. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Creative Writing

#47 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $11,292
Enrollment: 35,626

41. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Creative Writing

#48 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1195
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

42. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Creative Writing

#49 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,298

43. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Creative Writing

#50 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

44. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Creative Writing

#51 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 74%

45. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Creative Writing

#52 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $19,199
Enrollment: 19,841

46. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Creative Writing

#53 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 86%

47. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Creative Writing

#54 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1205
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

48. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Creative Writing

#55 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Receiving Aid: 54%
Average Aid: $18,083
Enrollment: 41,885

49. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Creative Writing

#56 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 89%

50. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Creative Writing

#57 in North America

#103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

51. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Creative Writing

#58 in North America

#105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1513
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,297

52. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Creative Writing

#59 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 87%

53. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Creative Writing

#60 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1207
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 93%

54. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Creative Writing

#63 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

55. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Creative Writing

#64 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

56. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Creative Writing

#66 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $13,432

57. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Creative Writing

#67 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $29,999

58. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Creative Writing

#68 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $17,628
Enrollment: 40,050

59. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Creative Writing

#70 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1480
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,513

60. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Creative Writing

#71 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

61. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Creative Writing

#72 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 72%

62. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Creative Writing

#73 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1207
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 94%

63. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Creative Writing

#74 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Net Price: $30,958
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $32,562

64. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Creative Writing

#75 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 65%

65. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Creative Writing

#76 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 78%

66. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Creative Writing

#77 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,166

67. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Creative Writing

#78 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

68. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Creative Writing

#79 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 85%

69. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Creative Writing

#80 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

70. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Creative Writing

#83 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

71. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Creative Writing

#84 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $13,590
Enrollment: 22,257

72. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Creative Writing

#85 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $31,630

73. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Creative Writing

#86 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Net Price: $20,680
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $45,373

74. Kent State University at Kent

For Creative Writing

#88 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 95%

75. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Creative Writing

#89 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,545

76. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Creative Writing

#90 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 3,165
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

77. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Creative Writing

#91 in North America

#188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 85%

78. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Creative Writing

#92 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 84%

79. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Creative Writing

#94 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,125

80. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Creative Writing

#95 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $9,026
Enrollment: 36,484

81. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Creative Writing

#96 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $31,240

82. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Creative Writing

#97 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 100%

83. University of Memphis

Tennessee | Memphis

For Creative Writing

#98 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,642
Enrollment: 21,622

84. Miami University - Oxford

For Creative Writing

#101 in North America

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 94%

85. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Creative Writing

#102 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $29,371

86. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Creative Writing

#103 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

87. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Creative Writing

#104 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

88. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Creative Writing

#105 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $4,401

89. San Jose State University

California | San Jose

For Creative Writing

#106 in North America

#220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Receiving Aid: 69%
Average Aid: $9,184
Enrollment: 37,133

90. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Creative Writing

#108 in North America

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 99%

91. Loyola Marymount University

California | Los Angeles

For Creative Writing

#109 in North America

#232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $40,180

92. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Creative Writing

#110 in North America

#233 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 95%

93. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Creative Writing

#111 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 82%

94. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Creative Writing

#112 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 85%

95. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Creative Writing

#113 in North America

#240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $39,566

96. University of Vermont

Vermont | Burlington

For Creative Writing

#114 in North America

#242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 96%

97. University of North Texas

For Creative Writing

#115 in North America

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 63%

98. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Creative Writing

#117 in North America

#247 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

99. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Creative Writing

#118 in North America

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $7,531

100. California State University - Fullerton

California | Fullerton

For Creative Writing

#120 in North America

#263 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $9,215
Enrollment: 40,738

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