Best Online Creative Writing Degrees

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,057
Out-of-State | $1,057

Credits to Graduate: 120

Getting your online bachelor's in creative writing from DWU equips you with the training to pursue a professional writing career. You'll gain the craft and literary analysis skills to publish your writing through required British literature, American literature, Great Plains literature, and Shakespeare courses. 

The senior capstone requires you to develop a manuscript that you can later shop to agents. Also, you can submit your work to DWU's Prairie Winds. As a first-year student, you'll need a minimum 2.0 GPA from an accredited high school for admission. 

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $495
Out-of-State | $495

Credits to Graduate: 120

At Lesley, you can focus your bachelor's in creative writing in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or scriptwriting. You'll find a supportive atmosphere in craft classes and workshops with no more than 15 students. Online learners can contribute to Lesley's Commonthought magazine and pursue internships with companies like Harvard Review, Boston Public Library, and WBZ-TV/CBS4.

You can also pursue a double major in more than 45 subjects. An undergraduate candidate does not need to submit SAT or ACT scores, but they need a 3.1 high school GPA and a 1-2 page artist statement. 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $369
Out-of-State | $393

Credits to Graduate: 121

ASU, founded in 1921, offers a bachelor's in creative writing program that takes eight semesters to complete. You can workshop your writing in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and advanced writing workshops. Strengthen your analytical mind through British, American, and contemporary literature courses. 

You can apply anytime after your high school junior year. ASU makes determinations based on academic and personal traits. Everyone receives consideration for a merit scholarship of $1,000-$3,000. As a test-optional school, you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores. 

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Avg. Cost per Quarter:
In-State | $468
Out-of-State | $1,640

Credits to Graduate: 120

The CWU bachelor's in creative writing degree combines fiction and nonfiction with technical writing and editing. You can complete the major coursework in two years. The degree also incorporates business communication and report writing, technical writing, and media copyediting. 

Through working at the Manastash literary journal, you can gain publishing experience or complete the required practicum at the Observer or Pulse student publications. CWU invites established writers to its Lion Rock Visiting Writers series every quarter. Applying for the program as a first-year enrollee or transfer student requires you to complete the English prerequisites. 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $494
Out-of-State | $494

Credits to Graduate: 120

At CCU, the undergraduate creative writing program features fully online delivery with one course at a time. In addition to nine credits in Biblical studies, you'll need to complete major courses in fiction and nonfiction seminars, copyediting, and copyright and publishing law. Part of the program teaches you to query agents. 

For admission, you must submit a high school diploma or GED certificate and complete an online undergraduate application. You can transfer up to 90 credits. CCU may provide prior credits for work and/or military experience.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $236
Out-of-State | $649

Credits to Graduate: 120

Enroll in FIU's creative writing program, and you can choose from specialized tracks in literature, writing and rhetoric, creative writing, or linguistics. All tracks emphasize multicultural perspectives through upper-division courses in literature, creative writing, linguistics, and writing and rhetoric. 

You can enter as a freshman applicant with SAT/ACT scores or as a transfer student with at least 60 college credits. Start dates vary by track: writing and rhetoric track students start in the fall, spring, or summer, while literary track enrollees begin in the fall. 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $279
Out-of-State | $597

Credits to Graduate: 120

Missouri State offers bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) creative writing programs. BA students take quantitative literacy as a general education credit in the first semester instead of the BS degree's contemporary mathematics course. All enrollees develop a critical approach to studying literature and the craft of writing poetry, nonfiction, short stories, or plays. 

The English Department's literary journal, Moon City Press, welcomes undergraduates seeking publishing experience. Applicants must be admitted to Missouri State and apply for the program only after completing 75 general education credits. 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $241
Out-of-State | $510

Credits to Graduate: 124

When you earn a bachelor's in creative writing at Northwestern, you can select from more than 60 minors. All undergraduate students take poetry, fiction, and creative writing portfolio workshops. You can also choose electives in travel and advanced writing, short story workshops, screenwriting, and a publication workshop. 

Northwestern accepts transfer students from public institutions in Oklahoma. A first-time applicant must submit SAT or ACT scores and have a minimum 2.70 high school GPA.

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $330
Out-of-State | $330

Credits to Graduate: 120

The creative writing program at SNHU offers concentrations in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. You can study from anywhere, with no live class requirements. The curriculum trains you for a professional writing career with workshops and lectures in literary analysis, craft, and critical thinking. The required 30 electives allow you to expand your creative writing degree with courses from other departments. 

There's no application fee, cost for transcripts, and no standardized test requirements for admission. You can transfer up to 90 credits and use prior learning credits toward your degree. SNHU offers rolling admissions. 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $354
Out-of-State | $354

Credits to Graduate: 120

At SMSU, the bachelor's in English with an emphasis on creative writing equips you to publish your work through writing, poetry, fiction, and advanced workshops. As a senior, you must complete a final portfolio. 

Creative writing majors get access to the library in Holm and Dacey Lounge. They also serve as judges for a regional creative writing contest. SMSU also allows students to join the Perceptions Literary and Arts Journal staff, English Club, or The Spur student newspaper. Freshman applicants must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.