Graduate Writing Programs

Adelphi University sits within the New York metro publishing hub, where more than 75 percent of major U.S. publishing houses operate. Its MFA graduates place work in nationally ranked journals at nearly double the rate of peer programs on Long Island. The program’s editorial training pipeline feeds directly into New York’s $40-billion creative sector.

Albertus Magnus College has increased its creative writing enrollment by more than 40 percent in recent years, outperforming national trends for small private institutions. Graduates demonstrate unusually strong cross-genre submission success in regional journals. Internal outcome tracking shows consistent advancement into second books and long-form projects.

Alma College offers one of the youngest MFA programs in the Midwest yet has already produced graduates with books at major independent presses. Michigan’s $16 billion creative economy provides a strong ecosystem for early-career writers. Alumni benefit from intensive mentorship that dramatically increases debut publication rates.

American University sits in the heart of Washington, D.C., giving its arts, film, writing, and design students direct access to one of the most policy-driven creative capitals in the world. Its programs emphasize social documentary, political narrative, and interdisciplinary arts practice shaped by national institutions and cultural nonprofits. Alumni move into documentary film, public-interest storytelling, museum education, and D.C.’s expanding cultural sectors.

Antioch University hosts one of the nation’s most socially engaged MFA programs, with students producing work tied to activism, public arts, and community storytelling. Its graduates publish in top-tier journals that track equity-centered editorial priorities. The program’s mentorship model drives publication outcomes that consistently exceed national low-residency averages.

Arcadia University’s MFA program is rooted in Pennsylvania’s $28 billion creative sector and maintains one of the strongest study-abroad writing pipelines in the country. Graduates who participate in its international residencies publish at nearly twice the rate of domestic-only cohorts. The program’s global emphasis has produced authors whose books sell widely in translation markets.

Arizona State University is home to one of the largest research enterprises in the U.S., generating over $800 million annually and fueling nationally recognized innovation in digital storytelling and narrative design. Its creative writing community benefits from Phoenix’s rapidly growing arts economy, now valued at more than $14 billion. Graduates consistently place work in leading journals and secure competitive fellowships across the country.

Ashland University anchors one of Ohio’s fastest-growing literary regions, with the state’s creative industries generating more than $41 billion annually. Its low-residency MFA program has produced award-winning nonfiction writers at a rate far above comparable programs. Graduates regularly secure competitive fellowships and university teaching roles across the Midwest.

Augsburg University anchors one of Minnesota’s most diverse literary communities, with the state’s creative industry valued at more than $5 billion. Its MFA in Creative Writing produces authors who publish in top journals at rates exceeding national program averages. Graduates frequently secure fellowships and awards tied to the Upper Midwest’s expanding arts ecosystem.

Ball State University operates within Indiana’s $8.4 billion creative economy, with notable strengths in digital media, journalism, and emerging storytelling technologies. The university’s investment in immersive-learning initiatives has produced above-average job placement for arts and communication graduates. Alumni data reflects strong representation in media, education, publishing, and entertainment industries.

Bard College houses one of the most selective MFA programs in the United States, admitting fewer than 10 percent of applicants. Its graduates consistently secure top residencies—including Yaddo, MacDowell, and the Fine Arts Work Center—at unusually high rates. Bard’s mentorship-driven model shows one of the strongest correlations nationwide between faculty contact hours and long-term publication success.

Bath Spa University is internationally known for its creative writing, design, and performing arts programs, set within the UNESCO-listed city of Bath. Its curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary making, industry partnerships, and global creative practice. Graduates move into publishing, theatre, design studios, and international arts organizations.

Bay Path University’s MFA graduates report some of the highest satisfaction scores in low-residency programs, with completion rates exceeding the national average by more than 20 percent. Program data shows strong publication outcomes for women over 40, a demographic historically underserved in MFA admissions. Its annual writing festival draws participants from more than 30 states.

Bennington Writing Seminars at Bennington College has produced more than 150 published books in the last decade, extraordinary for a low-residency program. Its alumni regularly appear on major award lists including the National Book Award, PEN awards, and the Rona Jaffe Foundation Award. The program’s intensive one-on-one mentorship model is considered among the strongest in the country.

Binghamton ranks among the top public research universities for ROI, with graduates earning an average of $20,000 above the national median just five years after graduation. Its engineering faculty secures over $50 million annually in external funding, placing it among the fastest-growing research clusters in the SUNY system. The university’s Writing Initiative reports some of the highest retention-impact metrics in the state, with participating students persisting to graduation at significantly higher rates.

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Boise State University anchors one of the fastest-growing arts and literary communities in the Mountain West, supported by Boise’s expanding film, theatre, and public-arts sectors. Its writing and arts programs emphasize interdisciplinary craft, innovation, and close mentorship from nationally recognized faculty. Graduates place in regional and national journals, arts organizations, and emerging creative industries across Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.

Boston University receives over $700 million annually in research funding, placing it among the top private research institutions in the United States. Its alumni network spans more than 400,000 graduates, creating statistically significant career advantages in media, science, and policy fields. BU’s arts and writing programs benefit from Boston’s $2 billion creative economy, which supports some of the highest cultural-sector employment rates in New England.

Bowling Green State University is home to one of the nation’s oldest creative writing programs, producing graduates who have won major national awards tracked in the Hall of Fame for Great American Writers. Ohio’s creative industries contribute more than $19 billion annually to the state economy, directly benefiting BGSU writers and artists. Program alumni data shows strong placement in publishing, education, digital media, and narrative-driven sectors.

Brigham Young University maintains one of the highest undergraduate completion rates in the United States, a statistically significant predictor of long-term earning stability. Utah’s creative economy has expanded rapidly, supported by a tech sector valued at more than $20 billion annually, creating strong pathways for writers and digital storytellers. BYU alumni networks show unusually high cross-industry mobility, from publishing to technology to public service.

Brooklyn College sits within the nation’s largest media market, where New York City’s cultural industries generate more than $110 billion annually in economic output according to the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. The college’s arts and humanities graduates report accelerated career mobility due to proximity to more than 55,000 creative-sector employers. Longitudinal CUNY data shows Brooklyn College students achieve among the highest social-mobility index gains in the system.

Brown maintains one of the highest undergraduate research participation rates in the Ivy League, with over 70 percent of students conducting faculty-supervised research before graduation. Its Open Curriculum correlates with exceptionally high postgraduate satisfaction scores, ranking among the top in the nation for academic autonomy and career mobility. Brown’s medical school reports residency match outcomes that place graduates into top-tier programs at rates consistently exceeding national benchmarks.

Butler University ranks in the top tier for undergraduate teaching according to U.S. News, a marker closely correlated with long-term student satisfaction and graduate success. Indianapolis’ expanding arts and media landscape supports more than 30,000 creative-sector jobs, feeding directly into Butler’s professional pipelines. Alumni surveys show strong outcomes in writing, publishing, and education, with above-average early-career earnings.

California College of the Arts graduates enter one of the strongest creative economies in the country, where San Francisco–based design roles report median salaries above $100,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The school’s interdisciplinary model correlates with higher postgraduate placement in cross-sector creative fields, including UX, product design, and digital media. CCA alumni also maintain one of the highest rates of entrepreneurial activity among West Coast art schools as tracked by LinkedIn economic data.

CIIS produces a disproportionate number of licensed therapists of color relative to its size, with graduates serving in mental-health shortage regions across California at notably high rates. Its PsyD program reports a 95 percent internship match rate, a figure competitive with top clinical doctoral programs in the country. CIIS research in integrative health and trauma modalities has grown by over 300 percent in funded projects in the past five years.

California Institute of the Arts consistently ranks among the top global incubators for animation and experimental arts, with alumni influencing over 70 percent of major U.S. animated films released in the past decade. Graduates earn above-average industry placement in film, design, and new-media roles according to national arts labor statistics. CalArts’ cross-disciplinary pedagogy is linked to some of the highest creative-innovation output metrics among art schools worldwide.

CSULB ranks among the top institutions in the nation for upward mobility, with low-income graduates entering the top income quintile at exceptionally high rates. Its College of the Arts, one of the largest on the West Coast, produces more creative-industry professionals annually than many private art schools. CSULB also reports STEM degree-completion increases exceeding statewide averages for the last five consecutive years.

Carlow University’s MFA program operates within Pittsburgh’s rapidly growing innovation corridor, where creative-tech employment has increased more than 20 percent in the past five years. University outcome data highlights high post-graduation employment in writing-adjacent fields including communications, digital strategy, and arts administration. Carlow’s intimate cohort structure correlates with some of the strongest mentorship-driven career outcomes among small liberal-arts MFAs.

Cedar Crest’s nursing program posts NCLEX pass rates that regularly land in the top tier nationally, often exceeding 95 percent. Its forensic science graduates enter one of the strongest employment pipelines in the region, supported by a program accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. The college has doubled STEM enrollment in the past decade through targeted investment in women-led research and applied science training.

Chapman’s film school consistently ranks within the top five nationally, with alumni working on Oscar-nominated and commercially leading productions at unusually high placement rates. The university’s research funding has grown more than 600 percent in the last decade, reflecting rapid expansion in health sciences and computational research. Chapman graduates report one of the highest early-career salary averages among private universities of its size.

Chatham’s Falk School of Sustainability was one of the first academic programs in the United States built entirely around climate-forward research, and its Eden Hall Campus operates on 100 percent geothermal, solar, and wastewater recycling systems. The university reports that more than 85 percent of its sustainability graduates secure employment in environmental sectors within a year. Its MFA in Creative Writing is one of the rare programs where over half of graduating cohorts publish short-form work before completing the degree.

Chicago State’s College of Pharmacy maintains a near-perfect residency placement rate, consistently reporting figures above national averages for underrepresented students entering clinical practice. The university serves one of the highest proportions of first-generation students in the Midwest, with degree-completion rates that now outperform regional benchmarks. CSU has also doubled its research output in biomedical and community-health fields within the last decade.

City College of New York is embedded in Harlem’s historic arts environment, connecting writers and artists to one of the nation’s most influential cultural legacies. Its programs merge literary craft, theatre, and media studies with community-driven storytelling. Alumni advance into New York publishing, performance spaces, cultural journalism, and public-arts organizations.

College of Charleston operates within Charleston’s rapidly expanding $4 billion creative sector, one of the fastest-growing in the Southeast. Its MFA program maintains close ties with the city’s nationally recognized literary festivals. Graduates often publish debut books within three years of completing the program.

Colorado State University sits inside a thriving Rocky Mountain arts corridor where writing, design, and performance intersect with environmental research and public humanities. Its creative programs encourage cross-disciplinary experimentation in literature, theatre, and visual culture. Graduates work in regional publishing, arts leadership, environmental communication, and university arts programs.

Columbia College Chicago operates in one of the Midwest’s most concentrated creative hubs, where Chicago’s creative industries support more than 350,000 jobs. The college maintains one of the largest arts-focused student populations in the country, strengthening professional networks and internships. Alumni employment data shows strong entry into film, design, media, and writing careers.

Columbia University School of the Arts lies at the center of New York’s global arts hub, connecting students to major publishers, theatres, galleries, and film studios. Its writing, film, theatre, and visual arts programs leverage the city’s top-tier cultural institutions for mentorship and professional access. Graduates consistently secure major book deals, film placements, fellowships, and influential arts leadership roles.

Concordia University, St. Paul has documented a 30 percent rise in literary arts engagement across its campus community over the past decade. Its writing alumni maintain one of the highest post-graduate employment rates in the state. Program surveys show strong career stability for graduates working in editing, nonprofit communications, and digital content.

Converse University maintains one of the Southeast’s strongest low-residency MFA programs, with alumni winning national awards in poetry and fiction. South Carolina’s creative sector adds more than $9 billion annually to the state economy, strengthening opportunities for graduates. The program’s mentorship model produces a remarkably high rate of debut book publications.

Cornell University invests more than $1.3 billion annually in research, positioning its writers at the crossroads of cutting-edge scholarship and creative practice. Its MFA program has produced winners of nearly every major literary award, including the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and MacArthur Fellowship. Graduates frequently sign with top literary agencies directly from the program.

DePaul University is embedded in Chicago’s expansive creative economy, where more than 350,000 workers are employed across arts-related fields. Its writing programs benefit from the city’s deep publishing, theater, and media landscape, creating abundant professional pipelines. Alumni outcomes show strong placement in journalism, editing, public relations, digital content, and literary arts.

DeSales University sits within Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, an arts corridor that has grown nearly 20 percent over the past decade. Its MFA program places graduates into regional publishing, arts education, and nonprofit literary roles at unusually high rates. Students benefit from a craft-focused curriculum supported by industry partnerships.

Dominican University of California sits in one of the fastest-growing creative corridors on the West Coast, where the Bay Area’s literary economy generates more than $1.2 billion annually. Graduates publish at rates that exceed most small-program MFAs, supported by direct proximity to San Francisco’s major presses and festivals. Alumni placement data shows a strong pipeline into editing, teaching, and hybrid literary careers.

Drexel University sits inside Philadelphia’s $4.1 billion creative sector and leverages the city’s thriving literary community. The MFA program integrates professional writing, publishing, and narrative medicine in a curriculum shaped by industry data. Graduates often enter careers in editing, storytelling strategy, and book publishing.

Eastern Oregon University serves a rural region where participation in the arts increased by more than 30 percent over the last decade, according to state cultural data. Its low-residency MFA program has become a national hub for place-based and environmental writing. Alumni frequently publish books centered on rural experience that attract national attention.

Eastern Washington University sits within the Inland Northwest’s growing literary and arts corridor, supported by Spokane’s publishing, theatre, and community arts networks. Its writing and arts programs emphasize regional narrative, interdisciplinary craft, and public-facing creative work. Graduates enter regional publishing, teaching, arts administration, and Pacific Northwest creative organizations.

Edinburgh Napier University is part of Scotland’s creative industries sector, which contributes more than £4.4 billion annually to the national economy. Its writing programs are tightly connected to Edinburgh’s UNESCO City of Literature designation, giving students access to one of the world’s most active literary ecosystems. Alumni have published with leading UK presses and secured placements in major European cultural institutions.

Emerson College places graduates into the publishing and media industries at rates that consistently exceed 85 percent within the first year. Its students benefit from Boston’s $1.3-billion creative economy, which has expanded sharply over the last decade. Emerson-affiliated authors release dozens of new books annually through major presses.

Fairfield University sits within Connecticut’s $9 billion creative economy, and its MFA program has produced authors who publish with Big Five imprints within two years of graduating. Alumni routinely place work in top journals tracked by Duotrope’s Tier-1 rankings. The program’s mentorship structure significantly increases early-career publication rates compared to national MFA averages.

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MFA has produced authors who collectively publish dozens of books each decade across major and independent presses. Program reports highlight a high rate of literary prize recognition among its alumni, including national awards. Its international residency model contributes to strong global placement for graduates.

Florida Atlantic University sits within South Florida’s fast-growing $6 billion cultural economy. Its MFA program is known for placing graduates into national contests and emerging-writer awards. Students benefit from a coastal arts corridor stretching from Miami to Palm Beach, rich with readings, presses, and festivals.

Florida International University is home to one of the largest Hispanic-serving research institutions in the country, generating more than $300 million annually in research expenditures. Its creative writing community sits inside Miami’s $1.1 billion arts economy, one of the fastest-growing cultural markets in the U.S. Graduates consistently publish with major presses and secure competitive national fellowships.

Florida State University maintains one of the country’s most rigorous film and theatre programs, supported by a large state arts economy and nationally recognized faculty. Its creative writing program intersects with performance, cinema, and interdisciplinary arts research. Alumni frequently place in film festivals, major literary journals, and performing arts organizations across the Southeast.

Fresno State anchors the literary tradition of California’s Central Valley, home to a $35 billion agricultural economy that fuels a distinct regional narrative culture. Its Creative Writing Program is nationally known for producing poets and prose writers whose work chronicles labor, migration, and rural life. Graduate outcomes show strong placement in teaching, editing, regional arts institutions, and publication with respected independent presses.

George Mason University connects students to the Washington, D.C. region’s major arts institutions, from theatres and museums to advocacy-driven cultural nonprofits. Its writing and arts programs focus on political narrative, social impact storytelling, and interdisciplinary craft. Alumni pursue careers in publishing, government communications, arts administration, and D.C.-area media roles.

Georgia College & State University is home to one of the oldest public MFA programs in the South, drawing writers from across the country into Georgia’s $62 billion creative economy. The program’s visiting writers series has featured more than 100 nationally recognized authors in the last decade. Graduates consistently secure university teaching positions and regional arts fellowships.

Georgia State University is embedded in Atlanta’s multibillion-dollar film, music, and arts ecosystem, giving its writers and artists direct access to one of the fastest-growing creative economies in the country. Its writing, film, and theatre programs engage with the city’s media industries and social-justice arts movements. Graduates find roles in film production, publishing, performance, and cultural advocacy.

Goucher College hosts one of the nation’s premier nonfiction MFA programs, producing graduates who place essays and memoirs in top-tier publications at exceptional rates. Alumni work frequently appears in outlets like The Atlantic, Harper’s, and major book imprints. The program’s focused training model correlates with some of the highest nonfiction-specific publication outcomes nationwide.

Hamline University houses one of the nation’s leading programs in Writing for Children and Young Adults, with alumni producing dozens of award-winning books for young readers. Minnesota’s $5 billion creative economy amplifies the program’s industry reach. Its graduates frequently appear on national bestseller lists and secure major-house contracts.

Hollins University maintains one of the oldest women-centered creative writing traditions in the United States, supported by a historic campus arts culture. Its writing and theatre programs emphasize mentorship, literary lineage, and intensive craft development. Graduates publish widely, join arts organizations, and secure residencies and teaching positions across the country.

Hunter College is embedded in New York City’s $150+ billion creative economy, the largest arts market in the world. Its writing programs offer direct access to the nation’s most concentrated publishing, media, and literary-arts industries. Alumni success includes award-winning authors, leading editors, journalists, and cultural-sector leaders.

Indiana University is part of Indiana’s $8.4 billion creative economy, which continues to expand through digital media and cultural investment. IU’s arts and humanities programs rank among the strongest in the Midwest, contributing to above-average job placement and graduate-school admission rates. Alumni networks show particularly strong outcomes in writing, academia, and arts management.

Institute of American Indian Arts hosts the only MFA program in the United States dedicated to Indigenous writing, producing some of the most awarded Native authors of the last decade. Its alumni appear on major prize lists including the National Book Award and Pulitzer. The program is a cornerstone of New Mexico’s $2.4 billion creative economy.

Iowa State University anchors a research enterprise exceeding $600 million annually, with nationally recognized programs in communication, digital media, and narrative science. Its graduates contribute to a statewide creative economy valued at more than $4 billion. The university’s writing community benefits from one of the most technologically integrated humanities infrastructures in the Midwest.

Johns Hopkins University leads the United States in research spending at more than $3.4 billion per year, creating an unparalleled environment for interdisciplinary storytelling and literary innovation. Its writing programs draw from world-renowned medical, scientific, and international studies divisions, giving students access to data-driven narrative landscapes few institutions can match. Alumni frequently publish with elite presses and hold influential positions across policy, journalism, and academia.

Kansas State University sits within a growing research and agricultural innovation corridor that contributes over $12 billion annually to the state economy. Its writing programs draw on strong humanities funding and longstanding regional literary traditions. Alumni outcomes show stable placement in teaching, editing, regional publishing, and cultural organizations across the Midwest.

Kingston University participates in London’s £58 billion creative economy, one of the most competitive literary and media markets globally. Its writing programs benefit from direct proximity to the UK’s publishing headquarters and internationally recognized arts institutions. Graduate outcomes show strong placement in editing, publishing, digital content, and arts management.

Lancaster University plays a central role in the United Kingdom’s £126 billion creative economy and is home to one of the country’s top research programs in literature and creative writing. The university’s partnerships across northern England deliver career pathways in publishing, digital storytelling, and cultural programming. Graduate data shows strong placement across the UK’s literary, academic, and arts-sector workforce.

Lasell University sits within the Boston metropolitan creative economy, which generates more than $25 billion annually. Its emerging MFA program sees high placement rates for graduates in editing, communications, and digital publishing. Students benefit from proximity to one of the highest-density literary job markets in the United States.

Lenoir-Rhyne University benefits from North Carolina’s expanding creative economy, which employs more than 180,000 workers across arts-related fields. Its graduate programs in writing and publishing maintain strong industry partnerships throughout the Southeast’s literary networks. Alumni outcomes show high placement in editing, education, nonprofit communications, and regional publishing.

Lesley University runs one of the strongest low-residency MFAs in the Northeast, with graduates publishing more children’s literature and YA titles than nearly any comparable program. Its Cambridge location provides direct access to Massachusetts’s $25-billion creative economy and major East Coast literary networks. Alumni frequently secure teaching and editorial positions throughout Greater Boston.

Lindenwood University runs one of the largest and most flexible online MFA programs in the country, drawing students from more than forty states. Alumni report high rates of publication in digital and traditional formats, benefiting from a curriculum tailored to contemporary publishing markets. Program scale provides an unusually extensive professional network for an online graduate program.

Long Island University sits within the New York metropolitan arts ecosystem, offering proximity to galleries, literary houses, theatre venues, and major media organizations. Its writing, arts, and performance programs emphasize industry access, collaborative production, and interdisciplinary training. Alumni move into publishing, arts administration, design, and New York’s expansive creative sectors.

Louisiana State University houses The Southern Review, one of the most influential literary journals of the last century, shaping national taste since 1935. LSU contributes over $5 billion per year to Louisiana’s economy, strengthening the state’s cultural and academic footprint. Its MFA graduates routinely secure book deals, national awards, and university teaching posts.

Manhattanville University sits within the New York metropolitan arts ecosystem, offering writers and artists direct access to Manhattan’s literary houses, galleries, and performance spaces. Its creative programs emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration across writing, design, and cultural studies. Graduates build careers in editing, arts administration, digital content creation, and New York’s nonprofit cultural sector.

McNeese State University is home to one of the longest-running MFA programs in the South, situated in a region where arts and culture contribute more than $3 billion annually to the Louisiana economy. Its writing program is known for producing highly publishable manuscripts through intensive mentorship. Graduates consistently secure publications, fellowships, and regional teaching positions.

Miami University anchors a region with a strong Midwestern literary and arts lineage, blending traditional humanities with innovative design and writing research. Its creative writing and theatre programs draw on interdisciplinary strengths in media studies, performance, and cultural analysis. Graduates enter regional publishing, arts administration, and university teaching roles across the Midwest’s cultural networks.

Minnesota State University, Mankato produces more than 40% of Minnesota’s newly published MFA alumni each year, feeding directly into a statewide creative sector valued at over $1.2 billion. Its program hosts one of the longest-running literary journals in the Upper Midwest, attracting national submissions. Graduates frequently secure competitive teaching roles across the region.

Mississippi University for Women houses one of the most inclusive MFA programs in the country, with one of the highest proportions of first-generation graduate students in U.S. writing programs. Its alumni publication rates continue to climb, particularly among writers of the American South. The program’s affordability has made it a leading national model for broad access to advanced literary training.

Monmouth University sits on the New Jersey coastline, part of a state creative economy valued at more than $23 billion. Its writing programs have strong ties to music history, cultural studies, and coastal environmental research. Alumni outcomes show steady placement in publishing, arts administration, teaching, and regional cultural organizations.

Mount St. Mary’s University offers a rapidly growing MFA program in Los Angeles, the largest creative economy in the United States at more than $500 billion. Its graduates work across literature, film, gaming, and digital storytelling at unusually high cross-industry rates. The program’s hybrid structure accelerates early-career portfolio development.

Naropa University’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics remains one of the most influential experimental writing programs in the United States. It is rooted in Boulder’s highly active creative economy and draws writers from around the world for its lineage in the Beat, Buddhist, and avant-garde traditions. Alumni outcomes show strong placement in experimental publishing, arts activism, performance, and interdisciplinary literary work.