best creative writing colleges in north carolina

15 Best colleges for Creative Writing in North Carolina

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in North Carolina ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 47.4K citations received by 4.25K academic papers made by 15 universities in North Carolina 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. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

For Creative Writing

2. Duke University

3. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

4. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

5. East Carolina University

6. Wake Forest University

7. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

8. Appalachian State University

9. University of North Carolina Wilmington

10. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

11. Elon University

12. Western Carolina University

13. St. Andrews University

14. Davidson College

15. Queens University of Charlotte

Closest to North Carolina states to learn Creative Writing

Art & design subfields in north carolina.

Department of Creative Writing

• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Publishing Laboratory
• Community Engagement
• Events, News and Accolades

Welcome! The UNCW Department of Creative Writing is a community of deeply committed writers who believe that the creation of art is valuable to self and culture.

We think you'll find we are an open-minded and big-hearted group. Our faculty encourages a rigorous yet safe, supportive environment in which diverse writers can grow as artists and as individuals. We believe excellence starts with an informed application of craft and we encourage writers to explore aesthetics and methods across genre lines.

Whether you are an undergraduate writer just starting down the path, or a more experienced one looking for support and guidance in the mastery of your art, we have a program that will work for you. We invite you to explore the pages of this site. Get to know us.

Look over the seasoned and well-published faculty. Check out the creative careers and prestigious publications of our students and alumni, and the extraordinary success of our Publishing Laboratory with its hands-on curriculum for BFA and MFA students.

Find out more about our award-winning semiannual journals,  Chautauqua and Ecotone , and book imprint, Lookout Books , at Ecotone Lookout . Read about our partnership with HarperCollins Publishers (which gives students direct access to crucial publishing industry information and individuals). Then be sure to let us know if you have any questions.

Publishing Lab

Integral to the Department of Creative Writing, the Publishing Laboratory incorporates into the apprenticeship of creative writers an applied learning experience in the process by which literary manuscripts, including their own, are edited and designed into books and published to a wide audience of readers.

Our Journals & Imprint

• Chautauqua ( submit )
• Ecotone ( submit )
• Lookout Books
• Ecotone & Lookout Blog

Books & Accolades

• Books published by our students and alumni
• Current Accolades
• Aspiring Writers

Creative Writing's Faculty & Staff

We believe that the ultimate measure of our worth is not a faculty's published work - important as that may be - but the artistic, personal, and academic evolution of each of the students in our charge. Our primary profession, in short, is to recruit, support, and nurture the most promising writers and students of letters in the country.

Support Creative Writing Today!

Our Guiding Principles

In the spirit of collective work and responsibility, UNCW actively fosters, encourages and promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, acceptance and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff and the broader community.

Contact UNCW Department of Creative Writing

Phone: (910) 962-7063 Fax: (910) 962-7461

[email protected]

601 S. College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28403-5938

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Creative Writing Concentration, English B.A.

Students in the Creative Writing concentration will study and practice the art and craft of writing poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction as part of a broader humanistic inquiry. As students progress through introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses, they will sharpen skills in crafting poetry and prose while refining aesthetics, style, grammar, and mechanics. They will become engaged, insightful readers and critics of contemporary poetry and prose, regularly exchange drafts with peers and learn to offer thoughtful, substantial feedback, and actively revise creative work and reflect on their growth and processes. The act of writing creatively gives students valuable sentence-level expertise but also instills in them how to question, contemplate, explore, problem-solve, empathize, observe, and imagine—all of which can open opportunities in the fields of writing, editing, publishing, education, and the arts, as well as in law, business, public service, and nonprofit sectors.

Check the university catalog for more information on the Concentration in Creative Writing.

If you have additional questions or require further information, please contact Academic Advisor Gina Karp .

See here to declare an English Major .

See here to declare an English Minor .

Learn how Anna Grace Thrailkill (BA 2021) draws on what she learned in her creative writing classes as a Newsletter Producer for Our State magazine, a publication that showcases travel destinations and the history, culture, and cuisine of North Carolina:

Listen to Rachel Sheering (BA 2008) talk about how her English Major prepared for numerous kinds of jobs, including her work as a Keynote Speaker and Virtual Emcee:

Creative Writing

Chapel Hill has always been a magnet for writers. Some students come with the goal of becoming novelists or short story writers or poets or dramatists; others discover their vocations while  undergraduates.

The University has long had a vigorous writing tradition, beginning when “Proff” Koch, Paul Green, and Samuel Selden were working with Thomas Wolfe, Kay Kyser, Betty Smith, Frances Gray Patton, and Howard Richardson in the early twentieth century. Beginning in 1947 and continuing for almost two decades,  Jessie Rehder served as a one-woman program and published several books of her students’ work; upon her death in 1966, Max Steele became director of Creative Writing the program expanded to include such legendary writers as Doris Betts and Daphne Athas. In the years since, Carolina’s Creative Writing program has been home to luminaries like Randall Kenan, Lee Smith, Sarah Dessen, Carolyn Kizer, Algonquin Books founder Louis D. Rubin, Alan Shapiro, Pam Durban, Michael Chitwood, and Marianne Gingher. Hundreds of alumni have gone on to write books, films, albums, plays, and television shows, pursue graduate study in creative writing, and publish stories, poems, and essays in the world’s best journals, magazines, and newspapers.

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Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

It's a great time to get into Creative Writing and find the best school for your undergraduate Creative Writing degree on our list of the Best Creative Writing Colleges and Universities in North Carolina.

University of North Carolina Wilmington

4 Year  •  Wilmington ,  NC  •  5 reviews

University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public university based in Wilmington , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 2,145 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 66 %.

# 1 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte

4 Year  •  Charlotte ,  NC

Queens University of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit university based in Charlotte , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 386 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 79 %.

# 2 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

Catawba College

4 Year  •  Salisbury ,  NC

Catawba College is a private not-for-profit university based in Salisbury , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 335 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 42 %.

# 3 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

Pfeiffer University

4 Year  •  Misenheimer ,  NC

Pfeiffer University is a private not-for-profit university based in Misenheimer , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 277 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 66 %.

# 4 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

Salem College

4 Year  •  Winston-Salem ,  NC

Salem College is a private not-for-profit university based in Winston-Salem , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 163 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 56 %.

# 5 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

Methodist University

4 Year  •  Fayetteville ,  NC

Methodist University is a private not-for-profit university based in Fayetteville , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 412 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 57 %.

# 6 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

Warren Wilson College

4 Year  •  Swannanoa ,  NC

Warren Wilson College is a private not-for-profit university based in Swannanoa , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 146 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 79 %.

# 7 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

Guilford College

4 Year  •  Greensboro ,  NC

Guilford College is a private not-for-profit university based in Greensboro , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 343 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 90 %.

# 8 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

St. Andrews University

4 Year  •  Laurinburg ,  NC

St. Andrews University is a private not-for-profit university based in Laurinburg , North Carolina . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 190 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 41 %.

# 9 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in North Carolina

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• Creative Writing Minor

The undergraduate creative writing program at UNC–Chapel Hill is — and has long been — one of the best in the country. Its first-rate faculty and students have published widely, won many prizes, and played a major role in shaping the contemporary literature of North Carolina, the South, and the nation.

Requirements 

In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must:

• take at least nine hours of their minor "core" requirements at UNC–Chapel Hill
• earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the minor core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for minor or specific courses.

For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog .

The Creative Writing Program offers a minor in creative writing. The minor requires 15 hours, a total of five courses.

Enrollment in courses beyond the intermediate level is by permission only. Students may declare the minor through Academic Advising. Completion of a minor in creative writing is contingent on the student’s successful advancement through the sequence.

The Creative Writing Program also gives credit toward the minor for several courses offered in other departments, such as DRAM 231 , COMM 330 , COMM 433 , and MEJO 356 . To qualify for a degree with honors or highest honors in creative writing, students must maintain a 3.3 grade point average and meet all requirements both to enter and to complete the senior honors seminar ( ENGL 693H and ENGL 694H ). Students minoring in creative writing and planning to study abroad must plan carefully so that they meet all submission and deadline requirements for applying to successive courses. 

To complete the minor, students will complete five (5) courses from one of the following options:

Combination of Genres:

Fiction track:, poetry track:, musical/musical theater writing track:, creative nonfiction writing track:.

No more than two (2) courses can be taken outside the Department of English and Comparative Literature.

ENGL 130 , ENGL 131 , ENGL 132H , ENGL 133H , and ENGL 138 , the introductory classes, are prerequisites to other Creative Writing Program classes. ENGL 130 , ENGL 131 , and ENGL 138 are open for registration by rising sophomores only during spring semester for the following fall and for current sophomores only during fall semester for the following spring. Rising or current sophomores may register for ENGL 130 , ENGL 131 , or ENGL 138 , but not for more than one of these three courses. Demand by sophomores regularly exceeds the number of seats available. Enrollment of juniors and seniors is on a space-available basis by permission of the instructor, and students may inquire of the instructor during the first week of classes to see if seats are available. ENGL 130 , ENGL 131 , and ENGL 138 are sometimes offered during summer sessions with no registration restrictions. Please always review summer session course listings for any changes or updates.

Advancement to successive courses in either the fiction or poetry sequence is by recommendation of the student’s previous instructor(s) and by application for both the advanced workshops and senior honors seminars. If possible, the student is assigned to a different instructor for each course. Should students not advance beyond the intermediate level, they may choose to finish the minor with other classes offered in creative writing. Creative writing minors receive priority in all creative writing classes and usually fill all seats.

Students completing the five courses for the minor may take additional creative writing courses only by permission of the director, providing that all other students still completing the minor are served first.

Transfer Students: Important Information

The requirement for taking a minor in creative writing is five courses or 15 semester hours. Students are limited to one creative writing course per semester. Most junior transfer students have four semesters remaining. Junior transfer students wanting to minor in creative writing must either

• Have an introductory course already on their record that will transfer to Carolina as credit, e.g., an introductory course in fiction writing or poetry writing taken previously at a college or university that is transferring in as credit for ENGL 130 or ENGL 131 ; OR
• Take an introductory course via UNC–Chapel Hill Summer School prior to their first fall term at Carolina and be promoted to the next level or to another creative writing class (on a space-available basis) in the fall of their junior year.

Permission to move forward with transfer credit for an introductory course requirement (Option 1 above) will require a review by the creative writing faculty of the syllabus and work completed in the course and is dependent on space availability, which cannot be guaranteed. Students must provide hard copies of syllabi and samples of coursework as early as possible in order to ensure time for review and to schedule a meeting with the director.

Junior transfer students fulfilling one of these two options would be eligible for Advanced Fiction or Poetry ( ENGL 406 or ENGL 407 ) and the senior honors seminars ( ENGL 693H and ENGL 694H ) if there is space available in Intermediate Fiction ( ENGL 206 ) or Intermediate Poetry ( ENGL 207 ) their first fall semester, and if — on the basis of submitted work reviewed by a committee — they are chosen for those classes. If not, they would need to complete the minor using the multigenre approach.

Note: No more than two creative writing courses from other schools may be counted for credit at UNC–Chapel Hill. At least three of the five courses taken for the minor — courses designated ENGL — must be Creative Writing Program courses taken at Carolina.

Honors in Creative Writing

To qualify for a degree with honors or highest honors in creative writing, students must maintain a 3.3 grade point average and meet all requirements both to enter and to complete the senior honors seminar ( ENGL 693H and ENGL 694H ).

See the program page here for additional special opportunities.

Department Programs

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Graduate Programs

• Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature
• M.A. in English  with a Concentration in Literature, Medicine, and Culture

Department of English and Comparative Literature

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Hilary Lithgow

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2024 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in America

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1-25 of 335 results

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA •

• • Rating 4.16 out of 5   662 reviews

Sophomore: Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them ... Read 662 reviews

• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 4%

Net price $30,958

SAT range 1510-1580

#3 Best Colleges in America .

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

662 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them .

Read 662 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 4% ,

Net Price : $30,958 ,

SAT Range : 1510-1580 ,

Columbia University

New York, NY •

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   1,357 reviews

Freshman: It has been great! Being in NYC is a very special aspect of college life here, but Columbia also feels very separate from the city so you don't get distracted. The party scene for me is dull, I barely find parties to go to (or people to go with) but I'm sure Greek life is having fun. The people are so diverse and brilliant and the academics have me more immersed than I have ever been. It has been tough to adjust but I think that's something we need to go through to grow. ... Read 1,357 reviews

Net price $12,411

SAT range 1470-1570

#6 Best Colleges in America .

Blue checkmark.

NEW YORK, NY ,

1357 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says It has been great! Being in NYC is a very special aspect of college life here, but Columbia also feels very separate from the city so you don't get distracted. The party scene for me is dull, I... .

Read 1357 reviews.

Net Price : $12,411 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1570 ,

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA •

• • Rating 3.9 out of 5   1,356 reviews

Freshman: It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be transformative and rewarding. Instead of focusing on the negatives, perhaps you could consider exploring constructive criticism or discussing specific areas for improvement in the college experience. This approach allows for a more balanced and productive discussion that can lead to positive changes and improvements in the education system. If you have specific concerns about your college experience, it might be helpful to address them directly with the appropriate channels within your institution or seek support from counselors or advisors. Remember, challenges are a natural part of any educational journey, and there are often resources available to help navigate them. ... Read 1,356 reviews

Acceptance rate 6%

Net price $14,578

SAT range 1480-1570

#7 Best Colleges in America .

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

1356 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be... .

Read 1356 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 6% ,

Net Price : $14,578 ,

SAT Range : 1480-1570 ,

California Baptist University

RIVERSIDE, CA

• • Rating 4.14 out of 5   2,903

Susquehanna University

SELINSGROVE, PA

• • Rating 3.61 out of 5   871

University of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4,346

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH •

• • Rating 3.88 out of 5   745 reviews

Freshman: Great school! Not super diverse, but it’s easy to find your people. Profs are for the most part amazing and super inspirational. Definitely less competitive than the other Ivies. I have truly had the best time here and gotten to come out of my shell. ... Read 745 reviews

Net price $24,078

SAT range 1440-1560

#8 Best Colleges in America .

HANOVER, NH ,

745 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Great school! Not super diverse, but it’s easy to find your people. Profs are for the most part amazing and super inspirational. Definitely less competitive than the other Ivies. I have truly had the... .

Read 745 reviews.

Net Price : $24,078 ,

SAT Range : 1440-1560 ,

Brown University

Providence, RI •

• • Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,080 reviews

Freshman: Attending Brown University was an enriching and transformative experience. I cherished the vibrant community that fostered intellectual curiosity and diversity. The open curriculum allowed me to explore a wide range of subjects, fostering interdisciplinary connections and personal growth. The faculty were not only experts in their fields but also approachable mentors who genuinely cared about students' academic and personal development. I appreciated the emphasis on critical thinking and the encouragement to question assumptions. However, I would suggest enhancing resources for mental health support and increasing accessibility to financial aid for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Overall, Brown provided a nurturing environment that empowered me to thrive academically and personally. ... Read 1,080 reviews

Net price $25,028

SAT range 1460-1570

#10 Best Colleges in America .

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

1080 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Attending Brown University was an enriching and transformative experience. I cherished the vibrant community that fostered intellectual curiosity and diversity. The open curriculum allowed me to... .

Read 1080 reviews.

Net Price : $25,028 ,

SAT Range : 1460-1570 ,

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL •

• • Rating 3.7 out of 5   1,490 reviews

Alum: Northwestern has an incredible network of professors who are preforming cutting-edge work in all their fields. Impressively, after an entire undergrad career there is only one professor who I would name as not a good professor, and that review is simply isolated to their teaching ability, not their subject knowledge. The learning support system is also extensive, and students are incredibly supportive as well. There is a culture of enabling yourself and those around you to reach new heights. While all the academics and research are amazing, I would say Northwestern needs to work on its accessibility to mental healthcare and ties to the greater Chicagoland community. There could be many more community outreach programs designed to benefit the diverse and interesting Chicago population, from academics to student life. ... Read 1,490 reviews

Acceptance rate 7%

Net price $29,999

#15 Best Colleges in America .

EVANSTON, IL ,

1490 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Northwestern has an incredible network of professors who are preforming cutting-edge work in all their fields. Impressively, after an entire undergrad career there is only one professor who I would... .

Read 1490 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $29,999 ,

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Washington University in St. Louis

Saint Louis, MO •

• • Rating 4.11 out of 5   1,572 reviews

Sophomore: I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your interested in business careers, and the academics ARE HARD -- You will do a lot of work. CS department could be stronger; premed/ bio/chem/pre-law deps / olin are excellent. The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen, sophomores, and some juniors) live on campus. The housing is excellent, and many students have kitchens on campus. St Louis is certainly not a luxury city (i.e. NY or LA) but does have good restaurants (DRIVE NOT WALK AWAY) and a cheap cost of living (concerts are usually way cheaper). It is way better than being in the woods, but not the bestest place. The school has partially impeded on the fun with their attack on greek life. ... Read 1,572 reviews

Acceptance rate 13%

Net price $28,298

SAT range 1490-1570

#16 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT LOUIS, MO ,

1572 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your... The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen,... .

Read 1572 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 13% ,

Net Price : $28,298 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1570 ,

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA •

• • Rating 3.71 out of 5   1,481 reviews

Freshman: Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated, disciplined students, or burnout. Many people require some kind of passion to be here, as it takes passion to get through the intense workload. On the surface, the social life at CMU seems pretty dead. However, after actively looking for clubs, organizations, and student groups, I found there are a lot of opportunities to be part of communities that are passionate and welcoming. I also love that CMU is very invested in their student's success: it is easy to get help from academic advisors, pursue research positions, and take interesting opportunities to get your education outside the classroom. Overall, I am very proud and happy that I came here :). ... Read 1,481 reviews

Acceptance rate 14%

Net price $37,450

SAT range 1480-1560

#20 Best Colleges in America .

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

1481 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated,... .

Read 1481 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $37,450 ,

SAT Range : 1480-1560 ,

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI •

• • Rating 3.96 out of 5   4,708 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Michigan takes a lot of pride in calling itself the best university in the world, but while finishing up my sophomore year I could not agree more. There is such a healthy balance between challenging courses that make students competitive prospects in their next step in life and opportunities to destress and enjoy the "best years of our lives", from watching our football team win the national championship to simply receiving free treats around campus from staff. From my personal experience, I cannot offer any suggestions for change for this amazing university! I have met some of the most kindhearted and motivated people in friends and professors while here and I cannot imagine attending another college. ... Read 4,708 reviews

Acceptance rate 20%

Net price $19,205

SAT range 1340-1520

#21 Best Colleges in America .

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4708 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says The University of Michigan takes a lot of pride in calling itself the best university in the world, but while finishing up my sophomore year I could not agree more. There is such a healthy balance... .

Read 4708 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 20% ,

Net Price : $19,205 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1520 ,

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   1,295 reviews

Sophomore: Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and found my place at the college. UChicago academics have impressed me, even with the required core classes. The professors I have met so far all appear to be enthusiastic about their specific fields, and they can be especially helpful outside of class. Given that our campus is located within a neighborhood, there are plenty of community activities and restaurants that students can hang out at, such as a Mexican-Korean restaurant called Seoul Taco. There are multiple dormitory buildings on campus, and the southern one is especially convenient as it has a dining hall, gym, and a small store all in one general place. There are also plenty of clubs, called RSOs, ranging from many types of activities like boxing or Japanese drum practice (Taiko). I would like more transportation options to explore. ... Read 1,295 reviews

Net price $33,727

#23 Best Colleges in America .

CHICAGO, IL ,

1295 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and... .

Read 1295 reviews.

Net Price : $33,727 ,

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD •

• • Rating 3.68 out of 5   1,406 reviews

Alum: Overall, my undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins was great. The academics were challenging without being destructive to student mental health and there were always numerous clubs, involvement opportunities, and events on campus to attend in my free time. It was easy to find research opportunities at the hospital and in general, the professors were very supportive. I do wish that I had seen more of JHU's involvement in local communities and would love to see the college work to give back more to local communities in the future. ... Read 1,406 reviews

Acceptance rate 8%

Net price $20,680

SAT range 1470-1560

#24 Best Colleges in America .

BALTIMORE, MD ,

1406 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Overall, my undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins was great. The academics were challenging without being destructive to student mental health and there were always numerous clubs, involvement... .

Read 1406 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 8% ,

Net Price : $20,680 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1560 ,

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA •

• • Rating 3.99 out of 5   4,036 reviews

Freshman: I like the diverse, really friendly community, thoughtful curriculum, experienced teachers, and good campus life. I feel that the community is supportive and that I have many avenues to learn, change and grow here. The people are really nice! What I would like to see changed is a better work environment for the students and staff, more mediated spaces for discussions on difficult topics, and a better-organized structure for knowing what opportunities I have to contribute to the community or make the most of my educational experience. ... Read 4,036 reviews

Net price $26,021

SAT range 1410-1540

#26 Best Colleges in America .

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

4036 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I like the diverse, really friendly community, thoughtful curriculum, experienced teachers, and good campus life. I feel that the community is supportive and that I have many avenues to learn, change... What I would like to see changed is a better work environment for the students and staff, more mediated spaces for discussions on difficult topics, and a better-organized structure for knowing what... .

Read 4036 reviews.

Net Price : $26,021 ,

SAT Range : 1410-1540 ,

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Emory University

Atlanta, GA •

• • Rating 3.83 out of 5   1,610 reviews

Alum: The faculty and students at Emory University are incredible. Faculty make themselves available outside of class, offer mentorship opportunities to interested students, and are truly invested in your success. Almost every conversation I've had with current students/alumni has been intellectually engaging, and I've certainly made friends for life here. ... Read 1,610 reviews

Net price $28,367

SAT range 1420-1540

#36 Best Colleges in America .

ATLANTA, GA ,

1610 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The faculty and students at Emory University are incredible. Faculty make themselves available outside of class, offer mentorship opportunities to interested students, and are truly invested in your... .

Read 1610 reviews.

Net Price : $28,367 ,

SAT Range : 1420-1540 ,

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA •

• • Rating 3.77 out of 5   634 reviews

Sophomore: I really love it here and am glad that I decided on Wellesley! I'm class of 2026, so I've been on campus for about two years now and each year, I've been able to meet some of the best professors and even better people. Conversations with peers are just as nuanced as the people and although the campus could still do with some diversity, I think we're definitely on the better end (I say this as a half Black and half-Asian student from a very predominantly white town). I've found that it's really easy to make friends because the campus and class sizes are so small (that being said, I'm also more extroverted). However, even my more introverted friends have said that they were eventually able to find close friends as their first or second year progressed -- the key is to be involved in campus or go to events and intentionally talk to people and reach out. ... Read 634 reviews

Acceptance rate 16%

Net price $21,862

SAT range 1400-1540

#37 Best Colleges in America .

WELLESLEY, MA ,

634 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I really love it here and am glad that I decided on Wellesley! I'm class of 2026, so I've been on campus for about two years now and each year, I've been able to meet some of the best professors and... .

Read 634 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 16% ,

Net Price : $21,862 ,

SAT Range : 1400-1540 ,

University of Texas - Austin

Austin, TX •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   6,768 reviews

Freshman: I love that UT has a sense of community, especially in the sporting department. Being able to witness school spirit is an aspect I love about this school. I also enjoy the vast number of majors and programs, as well as student organizations that are available for all to join. However, I’ve had a slightly difficult time realizing that because UT is so large, it’s extremely easy to sink into the cracks, and figuring your own stuff out is essential. No one is going to hold your hand through course registration or career decisions, but I think- despite the inconvenience- it teaches students how to be an adult much more effectively than a gentler approach. Overall, I love UT and Austin and can’t recommend it enough! ... Read 6,768 reviews

Acceptance rate 29%

Net price $16,589

SAT range 1230-1500

#42 Best Colleges in America .

AUSTIN, TX ,

6768 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I love that UT has a sense of community, especially in the sporting department. Being able to witness school spirit is an aspect I love about this school. I also enjoy the vast number of majors and... .

Read 6768 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 29% ,

Net Price : $16,589 ,

SAT Range : 1230-1500 ,

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL •

• • Rating 3.86 out of 5   3,072 reviews

Graduate Student: I'm having a good experience with the University of Miami, which is very similar to my university in Peru (PUCP). However, I think this school should have more healthy restaurants. There are not many options near the Law School. Also, I believe each program should have guidelines for courses per semester, and the basic courses should be offered each semester as well. For example, Constitutional Law is a must for law school, and the University does not consider it a requirement. Incredibly, they only have one professor who teaches that course who will not be teaching this semester. ... Read 3,072 reviews

Acceptance rate 28%

Net price $34,492

SAT range 1300-1460

#52 Best Colleges in America .

CORAL GABLES, FL ,

3072 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I'm having a good experience with the University of Miami, which is very similar to my university in Peru (PUCP). However, I think this school should have more healthy restaurants. There are not many... .

Read 3072 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 28% ,

Net Price : $34,492 ,

SAT Range : 1300-1460 ,

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY •

• • Rating 3.72 out of 5   488 reviews

Alum: Looking back on my experience, I feel as though I didn't appreciate everything Hamilton College did for me. When you're in the moment, it's easy to see all the bad and be frustrated with things like the crappy campus food, a poor party scene, and a major lack of diversity. But, looking back, I do miss my time at Hamilton. I miss living in a walking community, I miss all the free food and free merchandise the school gave me. I miss the diner. I miss having small classes and being close to my professors. The community there, although not perfect, came together in moments that mattered. The school could be better. The lack of accountability from the administration on social issues and a constant battle between hate speech and lack of punishment for students who harmed others was a constant in all my 4 years. I hope the students continue to push forward and force Hamilton into a socially-accountable mindset. ... Read 488 reviews

Net price $26,803

#54 Best Colleges in America .

CLINTON, NY ,

488 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Looking back on my experience, I feel as though I didn't appreciate everything Hamilton College did for me. When you're in the moment, it's easy to see all the bad and be frustrated with things like... .

Read 488 reviews.

Net Price : $26,803 ,

University of Washington

Seattle, WA •

• • Rating 3.79 out of 5   4,673 reviews

Graduate Student: The University of Washington offers a vibrant school life characterized by a welcoming atmosphere and warm-hearted professors who genuinely care about their students' success. Interactions with classmates are often pleasant and enriching, fostering a sense of community. However, safety concerns linger as an area needing improvement. While the campus exudes warmth and inclusivity, addressing safety issues would further enhance the overall experience, ensuring students can focus on their studies without worry. Despite this aspect, the university's positive attributes, from its supportive faculty to its friendly student body, create a conducive environment for academic and personal growth. ... Read 4,673 reviews

Acceptance rate 53%

Net price $8,701

SAT range 1200-1470

#60 Best Colleges in America .

SEATTLE, WA ,

4673 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says The University of Washington offers a vibrant school life characterized by a welcoming atmosphere and warm-hearted professors who genuinely care about their students' success. Interactions with... .

Read 4673 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 53% ,

Net Price : $8,701 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1470 ,

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN •

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   475 reviews

Freshman: I'm only a freshman, so take my opinions with that in mind, but I am immensely fortunate to have chosen to attend Mac. Students that go to this school are kind and from countless backgrounds and experiences. I have yet to perceive any air of frustration or misery on campus—even during finals season—and the upperclassmen I've spoken to have had similar experiences. The food isn't great, but I consider it adequate for the most part (although I would love to see food options that are more compatible with some of the dietary restrictions on campus). There are always numerous events to attend on campus so you have endless opportunities to learn new skills, have new experiences, and meet new people. Even if it takes some time, I can almost guarantee that you can find your "group" on campus. The academics are exceptional and I have had so many lovely interactions with professors. You really can join in on research projects in your freshman year! Just beware the cold and you'll thrive here. ... Read 475 reviews

Acceptance rate 31%

Net price $30,939

SAT range 1340-1480

#62 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT PAUL, MN ,

475 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I'm only a freshman, so take my opinions with that in mind, but I am immensely fortunate to have chosen to attend Mac. Students that go to this school are kind and from countless backgrounds and... .

Read 475 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 31% ,

Net Price : $30,939 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1480 ,

Haverford College

Haverford, PA •

• • Rating 3.93 out of 5   268 reviews

Junior: My experience at Haverford College has been wonderful. The Honor Code definitely plays a huge role with this. I have always felt safe walking at night on campus and am able to leave my belongings without fear it of it being taken. I feel as though I can approach my professors when I need support or accommodations and have never been turned down. It's clear that most people here respect others, faculty and the space around them (of course exceptions exist like anywhere else but are a small minority). Generally, I would say, the student population is happy, motivated, and eager to help others. Unlike Swarthmore or other selective colleges, students are collaborative, laid back, yet still strive to maintain academic excellence. Rather than only focusing on grades, Haverford students are eager to learn and contribute to the community. I would say it's fair to say that Haverford is a smaller liberal arts college version of Brown University. ... Read 268 reviews

Acceptance rate 18%

Net price $24,462

#70 Best Colleges in America .

HAVERFORD, PA ,

268 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience at Haverford College has been wonderful. The Honor Code definitely plays a huge role with this. I have always felt safe walking at night on campus and am able to leave my belongings... .

Read 268 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 18% ,

Net Price : $24,462 ,

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN •

• • Rating 3.83 out of 5   5,136 reviews

Alum: Academically challenging school that heavily focuses on STEM majors. If you are in liberal arts, there is a nice community but it is small and not nearly as funded as the STEM programs. Campus is walkable filled with nice community spaces and plenty of libraries, cafes, and rooms to study and meet with classmates. A lot of school spirit centered around the athletics. Most people live off campus starting second year. The apartments in Chauncey Square are an excellent location and close to night life spots and restaurants. Campus is very diverse and there are many opportunities to join clubs and student groups. Purdue is only 1 or 2 hours away from two different international airports, and shuttle busses run nearly everyday between those airports and Purdue campus, making travel easier for international or out of state students. Boiler up! ... Read 5,136 reviews

• grade  A Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 69%

Net price $14,619

SAT range 1190-1430

#79 Best Colleges in America .

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN ,

5136 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Academically challenging school that heavily focuses on STEM majors. If you are in liberal arts, there is a nice community but it is small and not nearly as funded as the STEM programs. Campus is... .

Read 5136 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 69% ,

Net Price : $14,619 ,

SAT Range : 1190-1430 ,

Colby College

Waterville, ME •

• • Rating 3.85 out of 5   628 reviews

Freshman: Great experience! So far I have enjoyed the amazing community filled with wonderful professors and students I can now call friends. With the opening of the new Athletic Center and Gordon center, I am excited to see what comes next as Colby continues to evolve and maintain excellence. ... Read 628 reviews

Acceptance rate 9%

Net price $17,912

SAT range 1400-1530

#80 Best Colleges in America .

WATERVILLE, ME ,

628 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Great experience! So far I have enjoyed the amazing community filled with wonderful professors and students I can now call friends. With the opening of the new Athletic Center and Gordon center, I am... .

Read 628 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 9% ,

Net Price : $17,912 ,

SAT Range : 1400-1530 ,

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4,346 reviews

Freshman: Socially, the university has multitudes to offer, countless clubs and organization and events from farmers markets to concerts, fireworks, food trucks and group fitness classes there is always something to do on campus. However, if campus recreation is not what you are interested in, the university is located in the perfect spot with access to downtown city, amazing restaurant, theaters, hiking trails and more. Academically there are several opportunities to be intellectually challenges both in the classroom and outside of the classroom with research, internships, lectures and more. I have admittedly had some qualms with a number of professors here, whether it be expecting unreasonable amount of commitment, writing unfair exams, or arrogant attitudes however I have also experience some professors that greatly impacted my collegiate experience. I would like to note that as someone who is gluten free I have not had a positive experience with dinning on campus. ... Read 4,346 reviews

Acceptance rate 67%

Net price $22,996

SAT range 1250-1470

#84 Best Colleges in America .

4346 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Socially, the university has multitudes to offer, countless clubs and organization and events from farmers markets to concerts, fireworks, food trucks and group fitness classes there is always... .

Read 4346 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 67% ,

Net Price : $22,996 ,

SAT Range : 1250-1470 ,

National University

La Jolla, CA •

• • Rating 3.98 out of 5   1,173 reviews

Graduate Student: I am in the teacher credential program and I am loving it. I used to get overwhelmed and bored with standard semester classes but at NU, I take 1 class every 4 weeks. I focus on the information for 1 class at a time and the course progresses quickly so I don’t get bored and the course requirements are reasonable, especially since most of the class participants work full time and have families. This has been a wonderful experience! ... Read 1,173 reviews

Acceptance rate 55%

Net price $9,966

SAT range 750-1170

#90 Best Colleges in America .

LA JOLLA, CA ,

1173 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I am in the teacher credential program and I am loving it. I used to get overwhelmed and bored with standard semester classes but at NU, I take 1 class every 4 weeks. I focus on the information for 1... .

Read 1173 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 55% ,

Net Price : $9,966 ,

SAT Range : 750-1170 ,

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX •

• • Rating 3.86 out of 5   1,577 reviews

Freshman: I visited SMU for a campus tour during the spring break of March 2023. The major factor that led me to choose SMU is its magisterial infrastructure and the opportunity to graduate with two degrees. SMU’s propounded Simmons school of Education’s Education program especially the Early childhood to 6 and the esteemed teaching faculty is the gravity force for me. After I graduate from college, I aspire to be a teacher in Texas and teach technology to kids with special needs. With the shortage of quality teachers in Texas, I conceive high caliber teachers can make the most impact in students to pursue their careers. Therefore, I am writing an application to get a degree from SMU and build a stronger society of future students. I want to be a proud Texan to serve the Texas education system by studying in the best Texas University. ... Read 1,577 reviews

Net price $41,986

SAT range 1340-1510

#95 Best Colleges in America .

DALLAS, TX ,

1577 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I visited SMU for a campus tour during the spring break of March 2023. The major factor that led me to choose SMU is its magisterial infrastructure and the opportunity to graduate with two degrees.... .

Read 1577 reviews.

Net Price : $41,986 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1510 ,

Saginaw Valley State University

UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI

• • Rating 3.77 out of 5   1,716

Canisius University

BUFFALO, NY

• • Rating 3.68 out of 5   794

BALTIMORE, MD

• • Rating 3.68 out of 5   1,406

Showing results 1 through 25 of 335

• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Academic Departments
• Undergraduate Programs

B.A. English (Creative Writing)

The creative writing program.

“Leading with Service – Motivating through Words and Ideas”

North Carolina A&T is one of the oldest historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) offering a full-service Creative Writing Program, and one of the few offering a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Creative Writing. At North Carolina A&T we help you shape your ideas into the spoken or printed word.

Students choose from two tracks: fiction or poetry, and while our curriculum includes a full range of literature past and present, we have a special focus on African-American Literature, literature of Africa and the African Diaspora. Spoken Word and Hip-Hop are among the courses offered. Such diverse course offerings allow our  majors to develop their talents in writing fiction, poetry, screenwriting, spoken word and nonfiction from a diverse background of writing traditions. Students also have the opportunity to:

• Participate in the Aggie Open-mic Series: SpiritSpeak
• Attend the Carolina on my Mind Reading Series
• Become an Aggie Keeper Peer-mentor
• Perform in N.C. A&T’s premier Spoken Word Troupe: Poetic Insurgents
• Become the next Aggie Poet Laureate
• Become an Aggie Poet of the Month
• Publish in our literary journal: Encore
• Join the creative writing club: Freedom Scribes
• Showcase creative work in The Blue Poet Salon
• Write in the Bi-annual Craft Workshops for majors
• Participate in a writing competition: NC HBCU Literary Network
• Participate in the annual "Aggies Create" Literary Festival

For more information contact:

Dr. Kimberly Harper Interim Chair, Department of English North Carolina A&T State University General Classroom Bldg., A-440

[email protected]

336-285-3518 or 336-334-7771

Best Writing and Scriptwriting colleges in North Carolina

Best writing and scriptwriting colleges in north carolina for 2024.

East Carolina University offers 4 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 21 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 19 Certificates, and 2 Doctoral degrees.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers 2 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 15 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 15 Master's degrees.

High Point University offers 1 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 19 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 19 Bachelor's degrees.

Elon University offers 1 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2022, 4 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 4 Bachelor's degrees.

University of North Carolina Wilmington offers 2 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a midsize city.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers 1 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city.

Queens University of Charlotte offers 1 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 3 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 3 Bachelor's degrees.

Top schools offering Writing and Scriptwriting degrees in North Carolina

Writing and scriptwriting.

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Creative Writing at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Jump to any of the following sections:

• Available Degrees
• Student Demographics

Creative Writing Degrees Available at UNCW

• Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing
• Master’s Degree in Creative Writing

UNCW Creative Writing Rankings

The bachelor's program at UNCW was ranked #102 on College Factual's Best Schools for creative writing list . It is also ranked #2 in North Carolina .

Popularity of Creative Writing at UNCW

During the 2020-2021 academic year, University of North Carolina at Wilmington handed out 37 bachelor's degrees in creative writing. This is a decrease of 14% over the previous year when 43 degrees were handed out.

In 2021, 21 students received their master’s degree in creative writing from UNCW. This makes it the #32 most popular school for creative writing master’s degree candidates in the country.

Creative Writing Student Diversity at UNCW

Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the creative writing majors at University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

UNCW Creative Writing Bachelor’s Program

Of the 37 students who earned a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from UNCW in 2020-2021, 38% were men and 62% were women.

The majority of bachelor's degree recipients in this major at UNCW are white. In the most recent graduating class for which data is available, 78% of students fell into this category.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a bachelor's in creative writing.

UNCW Creative Writing Master’s Program

During the 2020-2021 academic year, 21 students graduated with a bachelor's degree in creative writing from UNCW. About 24% were men and 76% were women.

The majority of master's degree recipients in this major at UNCW are white. In the most recent graduating class for which data is available, 76% of students fell into this category.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a master's in creative writing.

• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online

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Spartan Alert

Creative writing, m.f.a.

The Master of Fine Arts in creative writing is a two-year residency program with an emphasis on providing studio time for the writing of poetry or fiction. Our students develop their particular talents through small classes in writing, literature, publishing, and the arts. 

As a community of writers, students read and comment on each other’s work under the guidance of distinguished resident and visiting faculty, who also meet with students in one-on-one tutorials. 

PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS

• UNC Greensboro’s Creative Writing program is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the country.
• The residential faculty at the MFA Writing Program in Greensboro are not only award-winning writers, but also committed teachers who have spent their careers mentoring young writers.
• Graduates have published more than 200 works of poetry and fiction since 2008.
• Many graduates have received prestigious literary prizes. For example, MFA alumna Kelly Link was a 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalist in fiction. 

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

• The program is kept intentionally small, enabling students to work one-on-one with faculty in a close-knit community of writers.  
• 18-24 hours in writing courses are required, including workshop courses for poetry or fiction and tutorials in writing where students work one-on-one with members of the faculty. 
• The program offers fully funded graduate assistantships, including out-of-state and in-state tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. 
• Students serve as fiction and poetry editors for “The Greensboro Review,” the program’s literary journal for more than 50 years. 
• Each year the faculty also invites writers and editors to visit the campus for readings, workshops, and master classes with MFA students.

AFTER GRADUATION

• Alumni from the MFA Writing Program at Greensboro have gone on to teach or direct writing programs at such places as Clemson University, Colorado State University, Cornell University, Florida State University, the University of Vermont, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
• Graduates have continued their literary careers with a variety of awards, including the Pulitzer Prize and the Kingsley-Tufts Poetry Award, and numerous grants including those from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

APPLY TO Creative Writing, M.F.A

*Only required if there are additional admission requirements

• For a full list of application instructions, visit https://english.uncg.edu/mfa/admission-assistantships/  
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are no longer required for admission to this program.
• Students must submit a writing sample of fiction or poetry to be reviewed by all faculty members in the genre. The primary decider of admission is the student’s writing sample. 

Get more information

Want more information let’s get started, program details.

Degree Type: Master's

College/School: College of Arts and Sciences

Program Type: Majors & Concentrations

Class Type: In Person

Learn More About the Department of English

Similar Degree Offerings

• English, M.A.
• English, Ph.D.

Terry Kennedy Director of MFA in Creative Writing Department of English [email protected] 336-334-5459

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University Catalog 2023-2024

English (ba): creative writing concentration.

To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website !

Core Curriculum 

The undergraduate major in English is built around an 18-hour core that includes one course from each of the following six categories: American Literature, British Literature, World Literature, Film, Linguistics, and Rhetoric. In addition to the 18-hour core, students take 21 hours of course work in their concentration.

The concentration in creative writing (CRW) offers a background in literature and language with an emphasis on writing fiction, poetry, screenplays, and / or non-fiction. The 21-hour Creative Writing concentration includes four creative writing courses, two literature courses, and one English elective. Creative Writing graduates often go on to graduate school for an advanced degree in creative writing, such as the M.F.A. They also often pursue careers in writing, teaching, editing, business, and other fields.

Plan Requirements

A grade of C- or higher is required.

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Major Residency Requirements See departmental Advising Coordinator.

Major Grade Point Average (MGPA) Requirements Courses meeting departmental requirements must receive a grade of C- or better. A 2.0 MGPA and overall GPA is required for graduation.

LCW Electives

Lcw advanced electives, literature electives, english electives, foreign language 200 level, american literature, british literature, world literature, linguistics, arts and letters, social science , semester sequence.

This is a sample.

Major Grade Point Average (MGPA) Requirements Courses meeting departmental requirements must receive a grade of C- or better. A 2.0 MGPA and overall GPA is required for graduation.

Career Opportunities

A degree in English provides both liberal education and practical knowledge about the role of writing and language in the everyday world. It leads to careers in such fields as teaching, journalism, advertising, public relations, personnel management, technical writing, business writing, and creative writing. It sharpens the analytical and interpretive skills needed for professional and managerial careers, and it serves as an excellent preparation for students planning to study law or medicine and for those intending to do graduate work in literature, linguistics, film, or rhetoric.

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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 Undergraduate catalog.

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 Graduate catalog.

How to Become a Writer in North Carolina with a BFA, MFA or Similar Creative Writing Degree

Created by CreativeWritingEDU.org Contributor

With literary greats like Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry on the roster of authors hailing from North Carolina, the tradition of serious novelists doing impactful work has long been cemented into the creative culture here. It’s a fact that gives writers here a backdrop for comparing and critiquing their own work, providing something to strive for or rebel against.

Long-time Greensboro resident Orson Scott Card earned his master’s in English here before going on to become one of the most successful sci-fi authors of the modern era. Thomas Wolfe also earned a master’s degree and focused on playwriting.

Maya Angelou was in a class all her own, with heart-rending work that is as relevant today as it ever was. And the fact that Maya wasn’t only a student of literature here in North Carolina, but a professor for 30 years, also puts her on an entirely different level.

Every book would be a classic if there was a formula for how to write well. We all know it takes real courage and discipline, and more than a little education. It might start with a BA or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) , but for many that’s just the groundwork for an MA or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing.

In the end, every writer knows there’s no magic recipe for inspiring creativity and launching a writing career. When it comes to putting pen to paper, maybe the best advice for starting comes from Angelou herself.

North Carolina’s Literary Masters

Greensboro-native William Sydney Porter, best known by his pen name O. Henry, wrote his classics during the transition between the 19 th and 20 th centuries. Romanticizing the average person warts-and-all became his short-story trademark, along with plot twists. He was convicted of embezzlement before turning 40 but continued to write from his prison cell to make a living.

Thomas Wolfe was born in 1900 and called Asheville home growing up. The Pulitzer-Prize winning author was regarded as one of the nation’s most promising young novelists, the greatest talent of his generation. His work would go on to influence Ray Bradbury, Jack Kerouac, Philip Roth, and more.

Born in 1928, poet and author Maya Angelou is perhaps best known for her work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing . A tenured professor and Winston-Salem resident for more than three decades, Angelou was also influential in the Civil Rights Movement in addition to writing children’s books and composing music.

Sci-fi fans know Orson Scott Card, especially his novel Ender’s Game that was also made into a movie. Born in 1951, this current Greensboro resident is still at it and has big plans for the future.

Your future also involves big plans. North Carolina’s next generation of literary masters is poised to pick up the torch and carry on creating tomorrow’s most thought-provoking works. Someone’s got to do it, so it might as well be you.

North Carolina’s Creative Writing Classes, Courses, and Workshops Can Prepare You for a Creative Writing Degree

Just like how Maya Angelou polished her literary mastery as part of a writer’s guild, getting involved in your local writing scene is a great way to gain experience and hone your craft.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of writing groups, poetry readings, conferences, and other opportunities it gain insight and experience as an aspiring author wherever you are in the state.

The North Carolina Writers’ Network is a noteworthy resource if you’re looking for support and feedback about your writing. One of its underlying goals is to promote and develop the state’s writing community. It’s headquartered in Winston-Salem but organizes events across the state, including thrice-yearly writing conferences.

Winston-Salem Writers is a non-profit group that exists to help members improve and network. It’s a hub of information, circulating a regular newsletter and organizing monthly open mic nights, workshops, writing competitions, and book showcases.

Having just celebrated its 90 th anniversary, the North Carolina Poetry Society is proud to host quarterly get-togethers which are usually held in Southern Pines. It has well over 500 members throughout the state and continues in its original mission to support North Carolina’s poets and friends of poetry. You can expect workshops, panels, readings, contests, and more.

Raleigh hosts the Carolina Book and Writer Conference each year, a great place to hear experienced writers speak and make connections with your fellow artisans, as well as publishers looking for new talent.

As you gain experience and make connections, you can start thinking about finding a publisher. North Carolina’s publishers are many, and widely dispersed rather than being focused on the literary scene in a single city. They include:

• Black Mountain Press in Asheville focusing on short stories, poetry, and novels
• Red Adept Publishing in Garner, specializing in fiction
• Press 53 in Winston-Salem, with hundreds of titles published in the poetry and fiction genres

It can be challenging to organize your yellow legal pads with feedback from writing groups, your notes from conferences, and your latest plot ideas into a coherent piece that’s fit for publication. That’s where an academic program can help – a BFA or MFA, or other bachelor’s or master’s in creative writing.

Writing Colleges in North Carolina Offering Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing Provide a Path to Becoming a Writer

North Carolina has an impressive history of great professors, including Maya Angelou. Your creative writing instructors have been there and done that; they know the tricks of the trade and can adeptly navigate their way in the world of publishing. It’s only natural for professors to speak about the mistakes they’ve made so you won’t have to repeat them. And that’s exactly the kind of wisdom you hope to glean in a creative writing degree program

Earning your degree can help you shatter that ceiling of self-sustaining circular writing group feedback and breakthrough to the next stage of your writing career. It can make the difference between being a hobbyist and professional writer.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Other Bachelor’s Degrees in Creative Writing in North Carolina

Catawba college.

HURLEY SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation:  SACSCOC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

• English-Creative Writing

Guilford College

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING

• Creative Writing

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Public School

Queens University of Charlotte

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

• English and Writing Studies-English and Creative Writing

Salem College

St. Andrews University

DIVISION OF LIBERAL AND CREATIVE ARTS

Degree: Bachelor – BFA

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Warren Wilson College

CREATIVE WRITING DEPARTMENT

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Other Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing in North Carolina

Lenoir-rhyne university.

THOMAS WOLFE CENTER FOR NARRATIVE

Accreditation: SACSCOC

Degree:  Master – MFA

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

2024 Best Colleges in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to two universities that share a legendary rivalry, particularly in basketball: Duke University and the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. Sports are a big deal at many of the dozens of colleges and universities located throughout North Carolina. Students in North Carolina have a variety of higher education options, including large research universities, midsize colleges and small private liberal arts colleges. Several colleges and universities are publicly funded and have locations in cities including Charlotte , Greenville, Greensboro, Wilmington, Durham, Asheville and the capital, Raleigh .

To unlock full rankings, SAT/ACT scores and more, sign up for the U.S. News College Compass !

Here are the best colleges in North Carolina

Duke university, university of north carolina at chapel hill, wake forest university, north carolina state university, elon university, university of north carolina--charlotte, east carolina university, university of north carolina--wilmington, university of north carolina at greensboro.

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• #7 in National Universities  (tie)

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

(fall 2022)

SAT, GPA and More

Chapel Hill, NC

• #22 in National Universities  (tie)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, often referred to as UNC, offers a wide range of student activities. Popular student organizations include The Daily Tarheel, UNC's student newspaper, and WXYC, the student-run radio station. Nearly 20% of students are members of Greek life. Chapel Hill, which surrounds UNC, is often considered one of the best college towns in the country, offering music, restaurants and shopping. Almost half of all undergraduates live on campus in one of the residence halls or apartment complexes. The North Carolina Tar Heels are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference and are known for their men’s basketball team, which maintains a storied rivalry with nearby institution Duke University and is one of the most successful programs in college basketball. Former players include Michael Jordan and Vince Carter.

(out-of-state)

Winston-Salem, NC

• #47 in National Universities  (tie)

Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, just a few hours by car from skiing in the Blue Ridge Mountains or relaxing on the beaches of South Carolina. Campus Recreation offers intramural sports and outdoor trips such as kayaking on the New River, mountain biking and sky-diving. The Demon Deacons, Wake’s athletic teams, are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. When Wake Forest played rival Duke University in 1922 and won, a local reporter described the Wake players as "Demon Deacons," and thus, the mascot was born. Students must live on campus for six semesters in one of the residence halls. Greek organizations play a big role at Wake Forest, with membership consisting of almost half of the student body.

Raleigh, NC

• #60 in National Universities  (tie)

North Carolina State University, known as NC State for short, is the largest four-year college in the state. Students have more than 100 degree programs and more than 580 clubs and organizations to choose from.

• #133 in National Universities  (tie)

Elon University is located in Elon, N.C., between Greensboro and the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle. With more than 240 clubs and organizations, there are many ways for students to get involved. Every Tuesday, the community hosts College Coffee, a weekly campus tradition during which faculty, staff and students gather for coffee and snacks at the Phi Beta Kappa Commons. Students can work off the extra calories participating in intramural, club or varsity sports. The Phoenix, Elon’s varsity athletic teams, compete in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Greek organizations are a significant part of social life on campus, representing about 35% of the student body. All first- and second-year students are required to live on campus in one of the residence halls.

Charlotte, NC

• #178 in National Universities  (tie)

Founded in 1946, University of North Carolina--Charlotte is a public institution. University of North Carolina--Charlotte offers a Greek system, where 7 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 8% is involved in a fraternity.

Greenville, NC

• #195 in National Universities  (tie)

Located in Greenville, North Carolina, East Carolina University offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees and 75 master's programs. Notable ECU alumni include actress Sandra Bullock, who won an Academy Award for her role in "The Blind Side."

Wilmington, NC

• #201 in National Universities  (tie)

Founded in 1947, University of North Carolina--Wilmington is a public institution. The school has 40.6% of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of North Carolina--Wilmington is 17:1.

Greensboro, NC

• #216 in National Universities  (tie)

At University of North Carolina at Greensboro, students can get involved in about 200 organizations and Division I sports. Notable UNCG alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Claudia Emerson and Tony Award-winning actress Beth Leavel.

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

• #227 in National Universities  (tie)

Founded in 1889, Western Carolina University is a public institution.