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2024 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in Wisconsin

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1-6 of 6 results

Northland College

Ashland, WI •

  • • Rating 3.83 out of 5   283 reviews

Alum: Northland College was a beautiful place to be young, try new things, and make mistakes in a safe environment. I learned so much about myself and the world there. I met so many incredible people, many of whom I am still in touch with to this day. I did not graduate due to my own lack of funding, but I do not regret my time at Northland. I would like to see Northland College focus less on sports and more on its mission statement. I think that would help the college and the student body sense of camaraderie and togetherness. It would also involve the greater community in a more direct way, which is a thing that many colleges could be better about. ... Read 283 reviews

  • grade  B Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 58%

Net price $22,994

SAT range 1010-1160

#9 Best Colleges in Wisconsin .

Blue checkmark.

ASHLAND, WI ,

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

Featured Review: Alum says Northland College was a beautiful place to be young, try new things, and make mistakes in a safe environment. I learned so much about myself and the world there. I met so many incredible people, many... .

Read 283 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 58% ,

Net Price : $22,994 ,

SAT Range : 1010-1160 ,

St. Norbert College

De Pere, WI •

  • • Rating 3.79 out of 5   761 reviews

Senior: If you are looking for a close knit and safe community, St Norbert is a good choice. Safety was never a concern for me in my four years here. Additionally, the surrounding area is a good are for a student who wants some excitement without the overwhelming atmosphere of most large cities. The professors are a highlight of the campus. In my four years, I never once had a professor that did not work directly with students. TA's never taught classes. All classes were taught directly by professors who actively worked with students to help them succeed, especially in higher level courses. Food options here are a large pro as well. Not only is the cafeteria food remarkably better than other college dining options, the choices are varied and even have dedicated spaces for students with allergies and other dietary restrictions. ... Read 761 reviews

Acceptance rate 85%

Net price $27,107

SAT range 1100-1280

#12 Best Colleges in Wisconsin .

DE PERE, WI ,

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

Featured Review: Senior says If you are looking for a close knit and safe community, St Norbert is a good choice. Safety was never a concern for me in my four years here. Additionally, the surrounding area is a good are for a... The professors are a highlight of the campus. In my four years, I never once had a professor that did not work directly with students. TA's never taught classes. All classes were taught directly by... Food options here are a large pro as well. Not only is the cafeteria food remarkably better than other college dining options, the choices are varied and even have dedicated spaces for students with... .

Read 761 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 85% ,

Net Price : $27,107 ,

SAT Range : 1100-1280 ,

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Kenosha, WI •

  • • Rating 3.6 out of 5   551 reviews

Other: I am a Junior in high schools, currently taking early credit at UW Parkside. I experienced difficulty with online courses, with little resources to help me. And though this was a negative experience, I am currently enrolled in classes on-campus, which have proved to be very informative and useful! ... Read 551 reviews

Acceptance rate 75%

Net price $10,531

SAT range —

#13 Best Colleges in Wisconsin .

KENOSHA, WI ,

551 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I am a Junior in high schools, currently taking early credit at UW Parkside. I experienced difficulty with online courses, with little resources to help me. And though this was a negative experience,... .

Read 551 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 75% ,

Net Price : $10,531 ,

Asbury University

WILMORE, KY

  • • Rating 3.87 out of 5   478

La Sierra University

RIVERSIDE, CA

  • • Rating 3.54 out of 5   766

Maranatha Baptist University

WATERTOWN, WI

  • • Rating 3.9 out of 5   511

Beloit College

Beloit, WI •

  • • Rating 3.61 out of 5   601 reviews

Sophomore: It is really good, small college over 1,200 students. The atmosphere is amazing here. I love the student to teacher ratio. I have easier access to resources such as libraries, laboratories, and other facilities. This can make it more convenient for students to utilize these resources for research and study. Smaller class sizes facilitate more interactive and engaging discussions here at Beloit. I feel more comfortable expressing my opinions, and professors can better gauge the understanding of the material. In a smaller community, we as students find more opportunities for leadership roles in student organizations, clubs, or other extracurricular activities. This can contribute to personal and professional ... Read 601 reviews

Acceptance rate 67%

Net price $18,294

SAT range 1200-1390

#15 Best Colleges in Wisconsin .

BELOIT, WI ,

601 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says It is really good, small college over 1,200 students. The atmosphere is amazing here. I love the student to teacher ratio. I have easier access to resources such as libraries, laboratories, and other... .

Read 601 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 67% ,

Net Price : $18,294 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1390 ,

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Green Bay, WI •

  • • Rating 3.57 out of 5   870 reviews

Other: I took partially online and in person class at a different campus than the original Green Bay one! My experience was splendid! The instructors are very helpful and informative and are very understanding. Very flexible classes and a diverse set of students! ... Read 870 reviews

  • grade  B minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 91%

Net price $11,291

GREEN BAY, WI ,

870 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I took partially online and in person class at a different campus than the original Green Bay one! My experience was splendid! The instructors are very helpful and informative and are very... .

Read 870 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 91% ,

Net Price : $11,291 ,

Lakeland University

Plymouth, WI •

  • • Rating 3.6 out of 5   398 reviews

Freshman: I loved it Lakeland University, located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, offers a diverse and dynamic educational experience. Known for its small class sizes and personalized attention, Lakeland provides a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and socially. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, education, criminal justice, and more. Additionally, Lakeland emphasizes experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, research projects, and study abroad programs, to help students gain practical skills and global perspectives. The campus community is vibrant and inclusive, with various clubs, organizations, and events to engage students outside of the classroom. Overall, Lakeland University offers a well-rounded educational experience focused on preparing students for success in their careers and beyond.​ ... Read 398 reviews

Acceptance rate 80%

Net price $21,470

SAT range 900-1060

PLYMOUTH, WI ,

398 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I loved it Lakeland University, located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, offers a diverse and dynamic educational experience. Known for its small class sizes and personalized attention, Lakeland provides a supportive... .

Read 398 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 80% ,

Net Price : $21,470 ,

SAT Range : 900-1060 ,

  • Will you get in? Understand your chances of getting accepted into any college in the country, and it's completely free

Augustana College - Illinois

ROCK ISLAND, IL

  • • Rating 3.75 out of 5   806

Truman State University

KIRKSVILLE, MO

  • • Rating 3.62 out of 5   1,103

University of Evansville

EVANSVILLE, IN

  • • Rating 3.68 out of 5   745

Showing results 1 through 6 of 6

7 Best colleges for Creative Writing in Wisconsin

Updated: February 29, 2024

  • Art & Design
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
  • Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in Wisconsin ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 33.2K citations received by 2.34K academic papers made by 7 universities in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin - Madison

For Creative Writing

University of Wisconsin - Madison logo

2. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee logo

3. Marquette University

Marquette University logo

4. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh logo

5. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater logo

6. Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical College of Wisconsin logo

7. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse logo

Closest to Wisconsin states to learn Creative Writing

Art & design subfields in wisconsin.

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

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Written by Catherine Dorian

wisconsin skyline from lake michigan

Writers thrive when they have the freedom to discover and explore their inner voice. But writers also need community; we find inspiration and novelty in comradery with other storytellers, poets, and thinkers.

It’s no surprise that the Midwest has long been a region for creatives. Its sprawling fields, scattered lakes, wild woodlands, and combination of eclectic rural communities along with its vibrant cities meet the unique needs of the artistic mind. And in the state of Wisconsin, the pioneering writer has long been an integral contributor to the area’s culture.

Modern Literary Greats that Left Their Mark on Wisconsin

bear skin state trail bridge in wisconsin

Modern writer of literary fiction Jane Hamilton, a recipient of the PEN/Hemingway Foundation Award for her novel The Book of Ruth, also started her career in Wisconsin. But Wisconsin doesn’t only cultivate nature-writers and small-town stories. Screenwriter, TV series writer, novelist, and social commentator John Ridley IV ( 12 Years a Slave, American Crime) spent most of his childhood outside Milwaukee.

Due to its longstanding community of writers, Wisconsin boasts a robust literary heritage. Though humble in spirit, the state embraces its culture for storytelling, thinking, and learning. Several English Departments across the University of Wisconsin system have developed their own literary publications and publishing houses, which offer a platform for the state’s diverse talent. The Sheepshead Review of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and the Midwest Review have both featured some of America’s premier short story and nonfiction essay authors, including Dennis Day and Pardeep Toor.

Between its workshops, literary publications, and indie publishing houses, Wisconsin proves itself to be a space for writers to learn and to grow, whether you’re an aspiring undergrad looking for a BA or BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) or are well on your way with your sights set on an MA or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing. And as a writer, you know that learning and growth are at the heart of our craft.

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

Any writer will tell you that success comes from consistency and your own hunger for challenge. Enter contests, submit your work for publishing, subject your prose to scrutiny—it’s all part of the process for building your portfolio of work.

Wisconsin’s writers and writing teachers already offer several workshops, conferences, and classes that will give you the formative experience that can help you succeed when you’re enrolled in an intensive residency or bachelor’s degree.

Wisconsinites are eager to support the state’s writers and build a vibrant community to sustain its literary legacy. Jodie Mortag, Assistant Professor of Writing at Lakeland University, hosts the annual Great Lakes Writers Festival, where writers across all genres, ages, and regions of the Midwest gather for free workshops and networking events. You read that right: free. Jodie even provides a special event for high school writers. The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters also offers a robust catalogue of workshops taught by local writers, including the intensive “Write Your Novel in Eight Weeks” and courses specifically for naturalists, nonfiction writers, and poets.

When it comes to writing, Wisconsinites are also good at finding their people. Red Oak Writing offers retreats and roundtables for young, emerging writers who benefit from building a support network. Wisconsin has its own chapter of Romance Writers of America, and they offer workshops in various areas around the state. The aspiring crime novelist or murder mystery fanatic can even attend the Writer’s Police Academy, a training on true crime, done by law enforcement officers and forensic scientists who know their genre in real life.

Getting involved in the writing community is also about getting involved in the literary community. The Wisconsin Book Festival, offered through the Madison Public Library Foundation, hosts free events that feature public authors and conversations year-round—and the conference has featured an impressive catalogue of prize-winning authors (Jane Smiley, Stacey Abrams, and Mark Bittman, just to name a few!).

Besides attending workshops and conferences, Wisconsin writers are also dedicated to grassroots efforts that build communities of writers. If you’re looking for a writing group in your area of the state, check out the Wisconsin Writers Association. On their website, you can make your own profile and look for one of their registered writing groups—or you can start your own. They also keep an updated list of all the state’s workshops and conferences. You can consider them your database for writing in the state, especially if you’re just getting started.

Between its opportunities for publication and for learning from and with writers across all levels of experience, Wisconsin proves itself to be a hub of inspiration and vibrant culture for writers. You can amass a plethora of skills and tips by immersing yourself in the writing community.

If attending workshops and taking courses helps you find other writers and practice your skill, you’ll find a special sense of intimacy and support in any of the rigorous creative writing programs offered at Wisconsin’s colleges and universities.

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

Of course, earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in creative writing can help you hone your skills and join a community of fellow artists. If you’re in Wisconsin, you have several options for college-level programs, all of which will challenge you with instruction on narrative technique and workshops where you’ll learn to improve your work based on feedback.

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

Beloit college.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

beloit college

  • English-Creative Writing

Cardinal Stritch University

HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT

cardinal stritch university

  • Creative Writing (Writing, Cultural Studies)

Lakeland University

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS

Degree: Bachelor – BFA

lakeland university

  • Creative Writing

Northland College

northland college

St. Norbert College

DIVISION OF HUMANITIES

st norbert college

  • English-Creative Writing emphasis

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Degree: Bachelor – BFA, BA

Public School

university of wisconsin green bay

  • BFA - Writing and Applied Arts
  • BA - English-Creative Writing emphasis

University of Wisconsin-Madison

COLLEGE OF LETTERS AND SCIENCE

university of wisconsin madison

  • English-Creative Writing track

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

Degree:  Master – MFA

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Best Writing and Scriptwriting colleges in Wisconsin

Best writing and scriptwriting colleges in wisconsin for 2024.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Stout offers 4 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2022, 15 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 11 Bachelor's degrees, and 4 Master's degrees.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Marquette University offers 1 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 20 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 20 Bachelor's degrees.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Superior offers 2 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a small, public, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2022, 10 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 10 Bachelor's degrees.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers 1 Writing and Scriptwriting degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 1 Writing and Scriptwriting students graduated with students earning 1 Certificate.

Top schools offering Writing and Scriptwriting degrees in Wisconsin

Writing and scriptwriting.

  • Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing Schools
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List of all Writing and Scriptwriting colleges in Wisconsin

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Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin.

Saint Norbert College

Saint Norbert College

4 Year  •  De Pere ,  WI

Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit university based in De Pere , Wisconsin . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 526 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 79 %.

# 1 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

Beloit College

Beloit College

4 Year  •  Beloit ,  WI

Beloit College is a private not-for-profit university based in Beloit , Wisconsin . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 323 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 53 %.

# 2 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

Northland College

Northland College

4 Year  •  Ashland ,  WI

Northland College is a private not-for-profit university based in Ashland , Wisconsin . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 189 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 61 %.

# 3 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

4 Year  •  Kenosha ,  WI

University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a public university based in Kenosha , Wisconsin . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 709 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 60 %.

# 4 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

Lakeland University

Lakeland University

4 Year  •  Plymouth ,  WI

Lakeland University is a private not-for-profit university based in Plymouth , Wisconsin . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 183 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 51 %.

# 5 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Springtime at the UW Arboretum, a 1,260 acre National Historic Landmark recognized as a pioneer in ecological restoration.

MFA in Creative Writing

Founded in 2003, the Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers a two-year Master of Fine Arts Degree in the areas of fiction and poetry. Though small—we typically admit six new students each year—the MFA is just one part of a vibrant writing community including five or six post-graduate fellows , former fellows and alums, PhD candidates in contemporary literature, and a host of other artists and writers living and working in Madison. Our MFA is unique in that we have an “alternating genre” admissions policy: we accept fiction applications in the fall/early winter of odd-numbered years, and poetry applications in the fall/early winter of even-numbered years. This allows us to provide an almost unrivaled 2-to-1 student/teacher ratio that gives each class of students the full attention of the faculty in their genre for two solid years.

All of our MFA candidates receive  generous financial aid ,  the opportunity to teach  courses both in Creative Writing and English Composition, and a semester of teacher-training and support. Our MFAs also have the opportunity to take workshops in other genres, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, and comics. While cross-genre writing certainly isn’t mandatory, many of our students report that taking workshops outside their primary area not only improves their writing in multiple genres, but also leads to even greater camaraderie among all the writers in the program.

Our MFAs have access to a truly multi-generational community of writers at every stage of their careers. MFAs interact frequently with our Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing fellows, who are some of the best recent MFA recipients in the country, and both the fellows and faculty are always on-hand to provide advice about publishing, teaching, and pursuing a career in writing.

To get some sense of the scope of the Madison writing community, and the diversity of nationally acclaimed poets and fiction writers who cycle regularly through town, we encourage you to take a look at our  events  and  friends pages. Our MFAs have sat down for meals and conversation with visiting writers such as Michael Cunningham , Ayana Mathis ,  Eileen Myles ,  Mark Doty ,  Jonathan Franzen , Terrance Hayes ,  Adam Haslett , Alice Notley ,  Tommy Orange ,  Solmaz Sharif , Tiana Clark , Claire Vaye Watkins , and Lauren Groff , as well as regular visiting editors and agents on the lookout for the next generation of American literature.

Meet Our MFAs

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

MFA Alumni Spotlight: Lydia Conklin

Lydia Conklin graduated from the UW-Madison MFA Program in 2012, recently served as the Helen Zell Visiting Professor in Fiction at the University of Michigan, and in Fall 2022 began as Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing at Vanderbilt University. They’ve received a Stegner Fellowship, a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s Award, three Pushcart Prizes, a Creative Writing Fulbright in Poland, a grant from the Elizabeth George Foundation, a Creative Writing Fellowship from Emory University, work-study and tuition scholarships from Bread Loaf, and fellowships from MacDowell, Yaddo, Hedgebrook, Djerassi, the James Merrill House, and elsewhere. Their fiction has appeared in Tin House, American Short Fiction, The Southern Review, and The Paris Review and is forthcoming in One Story and VQR. They have drawn cartoons for The New Yorker and Narrative Magazine, and graphic fiction for The Believer, Lenny Letter, and the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. Their story collection, Rainbow Rainbow, was published in May 2022 by Catapult in North America and Scribner in the UK.

MFA Administrator  Sean Bishop Program in Creative Writing Department of English

MFA Course of Study

The two-year MFA course of study is designed to provide as much time as possible for independent writing and reading. The degree requires 42 credits as follows:

  • 9 credits of writing workshops  in the student’s primary genre (fiction or poetry). These workshops are held in the first, second, and third semesters.
  • 3 credits of pedagogy , during the first semester.
  • 15 thesis credits . Students take 3 credits in each of the first, second and third semesters, then 6 thesis credits in the fourth semester. These are not courses—rather, they’re the means by which the University gives MFAs credit for their independent writing.
  • 15 credits of electives  drawn from appropriate courses across the curriculum. While students are expected to focus on and produce book-length theses by the end of their two years here, they are also encouraged to pursue other intellectual interests via these electives. In the past, MFA students have fulfilled their elective requirements by enrolling in literature courses, studying foreign languages, pursuing other artistic interests such as dance, book-making, and classical guitar, augmenting research for historical novels by taking appropriate history classes. MFA students may also hone their writing skills in other genres by taking intermediate and advanced undergraduate workshops and graduate level workshops in genres outside the one for which they were admitted, as electives with the permission of the instructor. Students may also take up to 6 elective credits in the form of additional thesis hours in the second and third semesters.
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2024 Best Writing Studies Schools in Wisconsin

College Factual looked at 4 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Writing Studies Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 108 degrees in writing studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

  • Best Overall Writing Studies Schools List

Choosing a Great Writing Studies School

Best Writing Studies Schools in Wisconsin

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Writing Studies Degree Level

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Writing Studies Schools in Wisconsin ranking, along with many other major-related rankings , to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat , our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology .

Best Schools for Writing Studies in Wisconsin

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the writing degree levels they offer.

Top Wisconsin Schools in Writing

Marquette crest

Marquette University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in writing studies. Marquette is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Milwaukee. A Best Colleges rank of #130 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.

There were roughly 16 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the writing studies degree program at Marquette University earn $7,673 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

UW - Stout crest

University of Wisconsin - Stout is a great option for students pursuing a degree in writing studies. Located in the town of Menomonie, UW - Stout is a public university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #455 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Stout is a great university overall.

There were approximately 24 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Stout in the most recent year we have data available. Writing Studies degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Stout earn a boost of around $2,759 above the typical income of writing studies graduates.

Beloit crest

It is difficult to beat Beloit College if you want to pursue a degree in writing studies. Beloit is a small private not-for-profit college located in the small city of Beloit. This college ranks 30th out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were approximately 17 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at Beloit in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the writing program report average early career wages of $20,314.

UW - Green Bay crest

It is hard to beat University of Wisconsin - Green Bay if you want to pursue a degree in writing studies. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public university located in the midsize city of Green Bay. This university ranks 27th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were roughly 6 writing studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Green Bay in the most recent year we have data available.

Related Programs

Learn about other programs related to Writing Studies that might interest you.

BA English in Professional Writing

Expand your professional skillset with this specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

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Best Writing Studies Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Writing Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

Other Rankings

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Rankings in Majors Related to Writing

Writing Studies is one of 9 different types of English Language & Literature programs to choose from.

Writing Concentrations

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Notes and References

  • The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO .

More about our data sources and methodologies .

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Creative Writing at Lakeland University

Unique offerings.

The BFA in Creative Writing is unlike any other writing degree offered in Wisconsin. A rigorous and focused curriculum for arts-minded students, this degree prepares students for a variety of careers, including creative writing, editing and publishing.

At Lakeland, students take three tiers of creative writing workshops in three genres, as well as courses in our other fine arts programs – Music, Art, and Theater – in order to magnify study, extend practice and enrich experience.

Required Cooperative Education experiences and internships pair students with national literary journals, a national book press Seems, the Great Lakes Writers Festival, the Community Book Read, and the campus’ digital media outlet, The Mirror.

Expressive Communicating

What makes our program unique.

  • Wisconsin's only BFA program offering a completely creative-writing-focused major
  • Opportunity to learn from over 14 published authors
  • Development of craft in all genres: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting
  • Creative writing workshops that build from beginner to advanced levels
  • Special topics in writing such as plot, children's literature, travel writing, social change, prose poetry, myths and fairy tales
  • Composition of a book written, revised, edited, designed, and printed by student
  • Exploration of other artforms as inspiration--graphic design, music, studio art, and theater
  • Participation in the student-led creative writing club

Creative Writing students writing on white board.

Recent Grads, Real Careers

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Backed by Experience

100% placement rate.

In the last decade, Lakeland's Creative Writing program has had 100 percent job placement for students who pursued this degree. Many received highly coveted teaching assistantships and tuition remission upon acceptance.

Lakeland University also offers a major in Writing, which has been a staple at our campus for more than three decades!

Lakeland University Creative Writing Faculty working with students

One-On-One Attention

Experienced writing faculty.

Lakeland’s experienced Writing faculty takes great pride in working one-on-one with all students. While the primary instructors are well-versed in all facets of the written word, Madeleine Wattenberg is an award-winning poet who has published dozens of works and done numerous readings. Her debut poetry collection, I/O, was a finalist for the 2021 Miller Williams Poetry Prize, and Jodie Mortag, an expert in fiction and nonfiction, has work in numerous literary magazines--Ruminate, North Dakota Quarterly, Counterclock, Fourteen Hills, Barnstorm, Stoneboat, among others.

What are some careers available to me?

  • Copywriter and Editor
  • Writing Festival Coordinator
  • Pursuit of an M.F.A. in Creative Writing
  • Pursuit of a M.A. in Publishing and Editing

Co-Op & Internship Opportunities

  • Report for University newspaper The Mirror
  • Editorship on Seems literary magazine
  • Assistantship organzing Great Lakes Writers Festival, Community Book Read, Writer's Studio
  • Social Media Content Creator for writing program and/or Humanties and fine arts pages
  • Copywriter and Editor for Great Lakes Writers Festival website
  • Curator for Writing Room

Program Curriculum

Experiential Education

Experiential Education

Successful job placement.

Lakeland's Cooperative Education program will provide Creative Writing students with 12-18 months of full-time work experience and academic credit for their work. A combination of scholarships and wages will help significantly reduce or eliminate post-graduation debt.

Interested in Lakeland University's uniquely expressive and artistic Creative Writing program? Contact us today.

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University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Stories are everywhere. We tell stories to define ourselves and connect to others, and we read, watch and listen to stories for enjoyment and education. We use storytelling in business, teaching, law, advocacy and more. There’ve never been more career opportunities for wordsmiths and editors with a grasp of language and a flair for the written word.

Today, professionals in all positions and industries communicate constantly, and through multiple mediums. The words we choose and how we share them contribute to our successes and everyday tasks alike.

By design, an English major equips you with qualities and practical skills the modern workplace demands, including:

  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving
  • Sharp research and evaluation skills
  • Creativity and imagination
  • Empathy and self-awareness

A degree in English also offers excellent preparation for law school and graduate programs.

4-year plan

CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?

Photo of "The Muse" literary magazine from UW-Whitewater

40 years of literature and art

The Muse, our annual literary magazine, features art, poetry, essays, short stories and more.

Why UW-Whitewater for your English degree?

We’re a community of storytellers.  Through stories we create and share knowledge; we communicate our ideas, values and identities; and we negotiate our differences. You can see the thread of storytelling throughout our three English degree emphases:

English Literature Study how we tell and structure stories, and learn how to analyze how written works unite and, sometimes, divide us.

Creative Writing  Learn how to craft stories while harnessing the forms and techniques of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and screenwriting.

English Education Teach the power of language to others — and help them share their own stories, whether artistic or professional.

Learn more about licensure to become an English teacher »

Other English program highlights

There are plenty of other reasons to major in English at UW-Whitewater:

  • We collaborate with departments across the university to connect language awareness to other subject areas. For example, American Environmental Literature connects English, History, and Environmental Science students, exploring writers’ relationship and long history with nature and wildlife, as well as looking at emerging genres like Cli-Fi (climate change fiction). The class also considers how art and writing can impact environmental change in Wisconsin and beyond.
  • The Department of Literature, Writing, and Film offers a variety of student awards and scholarships, including some that help with study abroad expenses.
  • Our alumni work in a broad array of fields and participate in many ways to share their professional insights with current English majors.

What our English students do

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Contribute to campus media and literary publications

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Gain hands-on writing and editing experience through internships

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Learn from renowned faculty members and visiting writers

Hannah Austin

“My professors at UW-Whitewater care for me not just as a writer, but as a person.”

Hannah Agustin won the Norton Writer’s Prize, a competition of outstanding collegiate student writing that comes with a $1,000 cash award.

Read more about Hannah's journey

Beyond the page: Real-world experiences for English majors

Put your analytical, reasoning and writing skills into practice through a variety of hands-on learning experiences on and off campus. English majors can study abroad or participate in short-term travel study programs, and they also gain practical experience through workshop- and project-based courses. 

Internships Pursue an internship to hone your writing, editing and research skills, as well as to boost your career confidence. Because words are everywhere, our students intern in a variety of industries, including media, advertising, publishing, business and health care.

Community-based learning Help the local community address needs through courses with built-in service components. Or, volunteer at educational events, such as UW-Whitewater’s annual writing festival for local high school students.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Undergraduate research Take a deep dive into topics that interest you through independent research, or assist faculty members in theirs through the Research Apprentice Program.

Campus and community involvement

There are plenty of ways to get involved in the UW-Whitewater community:

Produce a literary journal Join the staff of The Muse , UW-Whitewater’s literature and arts magazine. Founded more than 40 years ago, this annual publication features poetry, short stories, essays and art.

Write for campus media English degree students, especially those interested in a creative writing major, might be interested in creator, production or leadership roles at campus media outlets:

  • The Royal Purple – award-winning weekly campus print and online newspaper
  • UWW-TV – campus cable television station, located in Conover Studio in Andersen Hall
  • WSUW-FM: 91.7 “The Edge” – campus radio station broadcasting throughout the region from a tower atop Hyer Hall

UW-Whitewater English students talk and laugh at computer.

Present your creative work and hear from others The English program offers many opportunities for students (and faculty members) to share their work with others, such as at public readings and annual events like Literature Crossroads. Our Warhawk Reading & Lecture Series brings to campus published poets and authors from around the world.

Join or lead a student organization You’ll find hundreds of clubs at UW-Whitewater, and a few that might interest language lovers include: 

  • The English Club
  • The Professional Writing Core
  • Law Society

What our graduates do

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Content marketing and digital media specialists

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Technical writers and grant writing professionals

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

High school English, literature and creative writing teachers

Jobs for english majors: what you can do with an english degree.

When you major in English, your professional options are endless. From arts and entertainment to politics and activism, to exploring outer space or creating your own fictional fantasyland, a degree in English can provide you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a wide range of career paths.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Clockwise from top left: Showrunner Shonda Rimes, Director Steven Spielberg, Astronaut Sally Ride, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, Environmental Activist Rachel Carson, and Musician John Legend were all English majors at their respective colleges/universities.

After earning a bachelor’s in English, UW-Whitewater graduates pursue creative writing careers, establish themselves in editorial positions, begin on the path toward publishing or become English teachers. Here’s just a sampling of positions:

  • Marketing writer
  • Proposal writer
  • Production editor
  • Technical writer
  • Science writer
  • Communications director
  • Project manager
  • English teacher
  • Index creator

Our students are also novelists, screenwriters, poets, essayists and editors.

Brianna Eland

Hired Before Graduation

Brianna Eland, an undergraduate English education major from Green Bay, Wisconsin, was hired as an English teacher with Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School in Wittenberg, Wisconsin.

Graduate and professional school

Many of our English majors and minors continue to graduate or professional schools to earn a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing, a Ph.D. in literature or a related field, or a law degree. UW-Whitewater graduates have studied at:

  • UW-Madison Law School
  • University of Virginia
  • University of British Columbia
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Albert-Ludwigs Universitat (Freiburg, Germany)

Our English faculty

Our faculty members are published authors, award-winning writers, prolific researchers, professional writing practitioners and engaged educators. Recent credits on the literary journal side include The New Yorker, Narrative Magazine, The Prairie Schooner, The Boston Review and New Republic.

Meet our faculty

Want to learn more about earning an English degree? 262-472-1036 | [email protected]

  • PROGRAMS AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
  • HOW TO APPLY

UW-Whitewater’s Department of Languages and Literatures offers the following English undergraduate degree options:

  • Bachelor of Arts — English Literature emphasis | 4-year plan
  • Bachelor of Arts — Creative Writing emphasis | 4-year plan
  • Bachelor of Science — English Literature emphasis | 4-year plan
  • Bachelor of Science — Creative Writing emphasis | 4-year plan

Minors: 

  • English Education
  • Creative Writing

Certificates:

Bachelor of Science in Education, English education emphasis | 4-year-plan

In addition to UW-Whitewater’s general education requirements, as an English major, you’ll take a variety of core and elective classes that will vary based on your chosen emphasis. With such a vast selection, you can personalize your path based on your interests and career goals.

  • In literature, you can study and analyze classic, contemporary and popular works in various genres from around the world.
  • In creative writing, you’ll explore and experiment in poetry, fiction, nonfiction and even science and nature writing.

Students pursuing English education will complete courses and teaching placements required for state certification.

To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater standard application for admission and indicate your interest in earning a degree in English.

Explore related programs at UW-Whitewater

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Professional Writing and Publishing

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Film Studies

Journalism Bachelor Degree Program

Journalism (Broadcast/Print/Web)

Media Arts and Game Design/Development Program

Media Arts and Game Development

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Advertising

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Middle School/Secondary School Education

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2024 Best Colleges in Wisconsin

Several top colleges and universities in Wisconsin are located in Milwaukee , which is the largest city in the state. Dozens of large research universities, midsize colleges and small liberal arts colleges are also located throughout Wisconsin and in cities such as La Crosse, Eau Claire, Waukesha and the state capital of Madison . All of the publicly funded four-year, degree-granting universities in Wisconsin are a part of the University of Wisconsin system, which is one of the largest employers in the state. Residents of Wisconsin can attend select public colleges and universities in eight other states, including Ohio , Minnesota and Indiana , through the Midwest Student Exchange Program and pay no more than 150% of the in-state tuition rate for selected programs.

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

Here are the best colleges in Wisconsin

University of wisconsin--madison, marquette university, university of wisconsin--la crosse, edgewood college, concordia university wisconsin, university of wisconsin--milwaukee, university of wisconsin--oshkosh, lawrence university, beloit college.

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best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Madison, WI

  • #35 in National Universities  (tie)

The University of Wisconsin—Madison lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in more than 20 NCAA Division I sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. Students can get involved in nearly 900 organizations on campus. There is also an active Greek life and social scene on campus, evident in Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the top party schools in the country. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but many choose to do so. Students can opt to live in one of several residential communities where they learn and live with other students and faculty.

(out-of-state)

(fall 2022)

SAT, GPA and More

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI

  • #86 in National Universities  (tie)

Marquette University, a private Catholic, Jesuit school, is in walking distance of downtown Milwaukee, a city known for its restaurants, zoo and athletics. The Marquette Golden Eagles are members of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference and are especially competitive in basketball. The men's basketball team plays in the Wisconsin Entertainment & Sports Center, which is also home to the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. There is no varsity football team, but enthusiasts of the sport can play at the intramural level. Other sports options include a tennis singles league, indoor volleyball and intramural innertube water polo. Students have almost 300 clubs and organizations to get involved in, and about 15 percent of the student body takes part in the Greek system, which includes more than 20 fraternities and sororities. To kick off each spring semester, the university holds the Winter Flurry, a week of games and activities that culminates in a semiformal dance known as Snowball. Freshmen and sophomores must live on campus, unless they reside locally with a family member or guardian. Lake Michigan is a mile from campus, and students can travel on Milwaukee County Transit System buses for free with a pass.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

La Crosse, WI

  • #249 in National Universities  (tie)

The University of Wisconsin—La Crosse is a member of the state university system. About 20 percent of students study abroad before graduation.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

  • #296 in National Universities  (tie)

Founded in 1927, Edgewood College is a private institution.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

  • #304 in National Universities  (tie)

Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin is a private institution. The school has 73.1% of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Concordia University Wisconsin is 12:1.

  • #332 in National Universities  (tie)

At the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, students can get involved by joining more than 300 clubs on campus, or by visiting the museums, theaters and zoo in the city. Notable UWM alumni include Golda Meir, a founder of the state of Israel, and Jim Rygiel, who won three Oscars for digital effects for the "Lord of the Rings" movies.

Oshkosh, WI

Founded in 1871, University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh is a public institution.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

Appleton, WI

  • #75 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)

Lawrence University has both a liberal arts college and a conservatory of music, which about one-fourth of all students attend. All students must live in university housing.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

  • #86 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)

Although the town of Beloit, Wisconsin, may be best known for having the world's largest can of chili, Wisconsin's oldest college also resides here. Beloit College, located 90 miles northwest of Chicago and about an hour south of Milwaukee, is nestled on a 40-acre, New England-style campus situated on river bluffs and surrounded by American Indian mounds. On campus, students have many opportunities to get involved in activities, with more than 60 student-run clubs and organizations and six fraternities and sororities. Beloit College competes in the Division III Midwest Conference and has 19 intercollegiate varsity teams. Intramural, club and varsity sports are very popular at Beloit, with about 70% of students taking part in athletics. Nearly all students live on campus during their entire college career, but students have opportunities to travel away from the area. About half of all Beloit students study abroad in places such as Brazil, China, Germany and many other countries. Although this campus is located in the Midwest, Beloit's student population has an international flavor. Nearly 18% of the students are from countries outside the United States and, each year, students have the opportunity to share their cultural experiences through an event called International Symposium, a day when classes are canceled so everyone can attend the presentations.

best creative writing colleges in wisconsin

St. Norbert College

De Pere, WI

  • #93 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)

Founded in 1898, St. Norbert College is a private institution.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 12 best creative writing colleges and programs.

College Info

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Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States .

The Best Creative Writing Programs: Ranking Criteria

You should never take college rankings as absolute truth —not even the very official-seeming US News ones. Instead, use these kinds of lists as a jumping-off place for your own exploration of colleges. Pay attention not just to what the rankings are but to how the rankings are determined.

To help with that, I'll explain how I came up with this highly unscientific list of great creative writing colleges. I started by narrowing my search down to schools that offered a specific creative writing major. (If you don't see a school you were expecting, it's likely because they only have a minor.)

In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria:

  • #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities. However, many schools with great undergrad programs do not offer MFAs, in which case I simply focused on the other four options.
  • #2: General School Reputation —The vast majority of your classes won't be in creative writing, so it's important that other parts of the school, especially the English department, are great as well.
  • #3: Extracurricular Opportunities —One of the key advantages of majoring in creative writing is that it can provide access to writing opportunities outside the classroom, so I took what kind of internship programs, author readings, and literary magazines the school offers into consideration.
  • #4: Diversity of Class Options —I gave extra points to schools with a variety of genre options and specific, interesting classes.
  • #5: Alumni/Prestige —This last criterion is a bit more subjective: is the school known for turning out good writers? Certainly it's less important than what kind of education you'll actually get, but having a brand-name degree (so to speak) can be helpful.

The Best Creative Writing Schools

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of schools! The exact numbering is always arguable, so look at it as a general trend from absolutely amazing to still super great, rather than fixating on why one school is ranked #3 and another is ranked #4.

#1: Northwestern University

Northwestern's undergrad creative writing program boasts acclaimed professors and an unparalleled track record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell).

Outside the classroom, you can work on the student-run literary journal, intern at a publication in nearby Chicago, or submit to the Department of English's yearly writing competition . The university is also home to a top journalism program , so if you want to try your hand at nonfiction as well, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

#2: Columbia University

Like Northwestern, Columbia is home to both a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school (plus one of the best English departments in the country), so you have a wide range of writing-related course options. Columbia also benefits from its location in New York City, which is bursting at the seams with publishing houses, literary journals, and talented authors.

body_columbia

#3: University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's big draw is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers' Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country.

As an English and Creative Writing major here, you'll take classes from great young writers and established professors alike, and get to choose from a wide range of topics. This major provides transferable skills important for a liberal arts major with a creative focus. You'll also have access to the university's impressive literary community, including frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and the acclaimed literary journal The Iowa Review .

#4: Emory University

Emory is renowned for its dedicated undergrad creative writing program , which draws the very best visiting scholars and writers. Students here have the chance to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors, study a range of genres, compete for writing awards and scholarships, and work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project.

#5: Oberlin College

A small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers very different advantages than the schools above do. You'll have fewer opportunities to pursue writing in the surrounding city, but the quality of the teachers and the range of courses might make up for that. Moreover, it boasts just as impressive alumni, including actress and writer Lena Dunham.

#6: Hamilton College

Hamilton is another small college, located in upstate New York. It's known for giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to help them explore topics in real depth, both inside and outside the classroom. Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country.

#7: Brown University

Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major . For the major, you must take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which span an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology.

body_brown-1

#8: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically earmarked for creative writing students. This school’s undergraduate English program also offers a concentration in creative writing that allows students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. If you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre, Washington University could be a great pick for you.

#9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT might not be a school you generally associate with writing, but it actually has an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, and provides plenty of guidance on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market.

Not to mention the school is located in Cambridge, a haven for book lovers and writers of all kinds. Though it probably isn’t a good fit for students who hate science, MIT is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are marketable in a wide range of industries.

#10: University of Michigan

University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school’s undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing portfolio and articulating their interest in creative writing to an audience who will evaluate their work. If you're looking to attend a big school with a great creative writing major, this is a fantastic choice.

#11: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is another school that's known more for engineering than it is for writing, but, like MIT, it has a dedicated writing program. As a major here, you must take not only courses in prose, poetry, and literature, but also classes on topics such as philosophy and history.

#12: Colorado College

Colorado College is a small liberal arts school known for its block plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. The creative writing track of the English major includes a sequence of four writing workshops and also requires students to attend every reading of the Visiting Writers Series.

Bonus School: New York University

I didn't include NYU in the main list because it doesn't have a dedicated creative writing major, but it's a great school for aspiring writers nonetheless, offering one of the most impressive creative writing faculties in the country and all the benefits of a Manhattan location.

body_nyu

How To Pick the Best Creative Writing School for You

Just because Northwestern is a great school for creative writing doesn't mean you should set your heart on going there. (The football fans are completely terrifying, for one thing.) So where should you go then?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at creative writing programs to help you determine the best school for you:

Does It Have Courses You're Interested In?

Look at the course offerings and see whether they interest you. While you can't predict exactly what classes you'll love, you want to avoid a mismatch where what you want to study and what the program offers are completely different. For example, if you want to write sonnets but the school focuses more on teaching fiction, it probably won't be a great fit for you.

Also, don't forget to look at the English courses and creative writing workshops! In most programs, you'll be taking a lot of these, too.

What Opportunities Are There To Pursue Writing Outside of Class?

I touched on this idea in the criteria section, but it's important enough that I want to reiterate it here. Some of the best writing experience you can get is found outside the classroom, so see what kind of writing-related extracurriculars a school has before committing to it.

Great options include getting involved with the campus newspaper, working on the school's literary journal, or interning at the university press.

Who Will Be Teaching You?

Who are the professors? What kind of work have they published? Check teacher ratings on Rate My Professors (but make sure to read the actual reviews—and always take them with a grain of salt).

If you're looking at a big school, there's a good chance that a lot of your teachers will be graduate students. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: a lot of the best teachers I had in college were graduate students. Just take into consideration what kind of graduate program the school has. If there's a great creative writing MFA program, then the graduate students are likely to be better writers and more engaged teachers.

What Are the Alumni Doing Now?

If you have a sense of what you want to do after you graduate, see if any alumni of the program are pursuing that type of career. The stronger the alumni network is, the more connections you'll have when it comes time to get a job.

What About the Rest of the School?

Don't pick a school for which you like the creative writing program but dread everything else about it. Most of your time will be spent doing other things, whether hanging out in the dorms, exploring off campus, or fulfilling general education requirements.

Many schools require you to apply to the creative writing major, so make doubly sure you'll be happy with your choice even if you aren't accepted to the program.

What's Next?

Are you sure a creative writing major is the right fit for you? Read our post on the pros and cons of the major to help you decide what path to take in college.

For more general advice about choosing a college, check out our complete guide to finding the right school for you. Some major factors to consider include deciding whether you're interested in a small college or a big university , an in-state or out-of-state institution , and a public or private school .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

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Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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  1. 2024 Best Wisconsin Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees

    #9 Best Colleges in Wisconsin.. Northland College. Blue checkmark. 4 Year,. ASHLAND, WI,. 283 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars. Featured Review: Alum says Northland College was a beautiful place to be young, try new things, and make mistakes in a safe environment.I learned so much about myself and the world there.

  2. Best Creative Writing colleges in Wisconsin 2024

    Best Creative Writing colleges in Wisconsin for 2024. Beloit College. Beloit, WI. Beloit College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 15 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 15 Bachelor's degrees. Based on 2 Reviews.

  3. Creative Writing

    Welcome to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Program in Creative Writing. We offer courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and playwriting to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Since 1986, we have also been host to the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing's post-graduate fellowships, which provide top emerging writers a year to develop their craft.

  4. 2024 Best Creative Writing Schools in Wisconsin

    2. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Green Bay, WI. Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type. 16.7% Growth in Graduates. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a good option for students interested in a degree in creative writing. UW - Green Bay is a moderately-sized public university located in the midsize city of Green Bay.

  5. The Undergraduate Program

    The Undergraduate Program in Creative Writing, established in 1978, provides a wide variety of opportunities for students to read, write, and study the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and playwriting. In addition to a range of creative writing courses open to undergraduates (and, under certain circumstances, graduate students and special students), the program also…

  6. Best Creative Writing colleges in Wisconsin [2023 Rankings]

    Below is a list of best universities in Wisconsin ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 12.9M citations received by 407K academic papers made by 7 universities in Wisconsin was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

  7. 2024 Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Wisconsin

    The creative writing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Wisconsin.. In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you ...

  8. Best Wisconsin colleges with Creative Writing degrees

    There are 3 Wisconsin colleges where you can study and earn a degree in creative writing. These are the top ranked colleges offering majors in creative writing based on the CollegeSimply ranking methodology. The average net price to attend these colleges is $23,475 per year. Saint Norbert College offers the cheapest creative writing degree with ...

  9. MFA, BFA and Other Creative Writing Degrees in Wisconsin

    The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters also offers a robust catalogue of workshops taught by local writers, including the intensive "Write Your Novel in Eight Weeks" and courses specifically for naturalists, nonfiction writers, and poets. When it comes to writing, Wisconsinites are also good at finding their people.

  10. Best Writing and Scriptwriting colleges in Wisconsin

    Discover the best writing and scriptwriting degree colleges in Wisconsin on Universities.com. Best Writing and Scriptwriting Degree Colleges in Wisconsin | 2024 Get the latest on degrees, college, and scholarship opportunities straight to your inbox.

  11. Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

    Beloit College is a private not-for-profit university based in Beloit, Wisconsin. It is an institution with an enrollment of over 323 bachelor's degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 53 %. # 2 in Best Creative Writing Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin. Acceptance Rate.

  12. Writing & Applied Arts B.F.A.

    Take your writing skills to a higher level and see what the future holds. Markets are exploding for creative writing and professional multimedia content. To meet industry demand for exceptional writing skills, UW-Green Bay offers the only degree of its kind in the UW-System: the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing and Applied Arts. See Your Path.

  13. MFA in Creative Writing

    Founded in 2003, the Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers a two-year Master of Fine Arts Degree in the areas of fiction and poetry. Though small—we typically admit six new students each year—the MFA is just one part of a vibrant writing community including five or six post-graduate fellows, former fellows and alums, PhD candidates in contemporary literature, and a host of other ...

  14. 2024 Best Writing Studies Schools in Wisconsin

    Top Wisconsin Schools in Writing. 1. Marquette University. Milwaukee, WI. Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type. $38,420 Median Starting Salary. $25,000 Median Student Debt. Marquette University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in writing studies.

  15. Creative Writing Program at Lakeland University

    The BFA in Creative Writing is unlike any other writing degree offered in Wisconsin. A rigorous and focused curriculum for arts-minded students, this degree prepares students for a variety of careers, including creative writing, editing and publishing. ... Best-selling author to visit Lakeland campus. Mar. 20, 2024. Read More... Blog Honors ...

  16. Creative Writing Programs in Wisconsin 2024+

    Top Creative Writing Graduate Programs in Wisconsin that offer masters, doctorate & PhD graduate degrees. 2024 - 2025 ... in Wisconsin. Creative Writing Graduate Programs teach the art of language. You could develop your writing through study and practice. ... Graduate creative writing schools provide the opportunity to develop your work ...

  17. English Bachelors Degree Programs Wisconsin

    HOW TO APPLY. UW-Whitewater's Department of Languages and Literatures offers the following English undergraduate degree options: Bachelor of Arts — English Literature emphasis | 4-year plan. Bachelor of Arts — Creative Writing emphasis | 4-year plan. Bachelor of Science — English Literature emphasis | 4-year plan.

  18. Most Focused Colleges for Creative Writing in Wisconsin

    One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our "Schools Highly Focused on Creative Writing Major in Wisconsin" ranking - to help you make that decision. Creative Writing is the 120th most popular major in the country with 6,817 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

  19. 2024 Best Colleges in Wisconsin

    Dozens of large research universities, midsize colleges and small liberal arts colleges are also located throughout Wisconsin and in cities such as La Crosse, Eau Claire, Waukesha and the state ...

  20. The 12 Best Creative Writing Colleges and Programs

    In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria: #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities.

  21. Best Creative Writing Colleges In The Midwest

    Best Creative Writing Colleges in Wisconsin. We have created a 2020 ranking of the best colleges in Wisconsin that offer Creative Writing degrees to help you find a school that fits your needs. Each school's ranking is based on the compilation of our data from reliable government sources. student surveys. college graduate interviews. and ...