Why Get a Degree in Creative Writing?
Most writers and authors hold bachelor's degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earn a median salary of $69,510 as of May 2021. Aspiring writers might be interested in composing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, along with scripts, advertising copy, or other written materials. Authors and writers might also become teachers, media producers, or editors.
Bachelor's programs typically involve workshops where you'll critique other students' work under professors' guidance. You'll also read published literature to determine what makes these works successful. You may also be required to pursue an internship with an organization where you might want to work after graduation, like a publishing house.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Creative Writing Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How Much Does a Creative Writing Degree Cost?
A bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study to complete. Typically, students must earn 120 credits to graduate, with full-time enrollees averaging 30 credits per year at this pace.
Creative writing degree costs vary considerably. The median annual in-state tuition for these degrees was $7,716 in 2020. That same year, the median annual tuition for out-of-state colleges reached $38,345.
Bachelor's degrees in creative writing are offered both fully online and in person. You may prefer an online degree if you have other personal or professional obligations. In-person degrees typically offer better opportunities to connect with your peers and professors, though this is also possible in online programs.
Courses in Creative Writing
Creative writing degrees develop your craft and evaluation skills. These programs typically include coursework in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting. However, some programs may not cover these genres, offering more specialized areas like graphic novels.
Students in creative writing degrees typically take three types of courses. Craft courses teach best practices for constructing your writing. You'll also enroll in workshops where your peers and professors evaluate your work. Required literature classes help you understand what makes writing successful.
The courses listed below cover three class types.
The Art and Craft of the Short Story
Most online creative writing degrees offer instruction on best practices and common features of different types of writing. For instance, what elements should appear in a successful short story? Programs typically offer craft courses focused on different genres.
Writing Workshop
Workshops are cornerstone courses in creative writing degrees. In these classes, typically divided by genre, students complete writing assignments to share with their peers and professors for feedback. Class sessions include critiquing students' writing to cover effective areas and provide ideas for improvement.
20th-Century and 21st-Century English Literature
In this course, students read canonized pieces of creative writing written in English during these two centuries. Enrollees may discuss the writer's life, the work's context, and the craft and techniques that made the writing successful.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Creative Writing Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Career and Salary Outlook for Creative Writing
Many students pursue creative writing degrees to become writers or authors. The BLS projects employment for writers to grow by 4% from 2021-2031, which aligns with the average rate for all occupations.
Similar roles include technical writers, journalists, and public relations specialists. Writers may also become editors. These jobs also typically require bachelor's degrees, though some may require additional training outside of a creative writing degree. While working on your creative writing degree, you may need to pursue an internship to develop on-the-job experience.
| Creative Writing Career | Median Annual Wage (2021) |
|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 |
| Editors | $63,350 |
| Technical Writers | $78,060 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,370 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,800 |
Source: BLS
A creative writing degree prepares you to pursue any of these degrees. However, some programs may have certain specializations useful for entry into specific fields.
Best Online Schools for Creative Writing Degrees
The school and/or program descriptions below were drafted using natural language generation technology and have been edited for clarity and accuracy. The data is primarily sourced from government databases such as IPEDS – see sources section for more details.Featured Online Bachelor's in Creative Writing Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Questions About Creative Writing Degrees
Is a creative writing degree worth it?
Creative writing degrees are particularly useful if you want to compose creative projects like novels, poetry books, or screenplays. Writers often earn above-average wages across industries, so you may pursue a similar degree, like a bachelor's program in journalism or English, if you do not want to write creatively.
What is the best degree for creative writing?
Aspiring authors and writers may want to pursue creative writing degrees. These programs often allow you to explore one or more creative writing genres, including fiction, and poetry, and creative nonfiction. However, some writers and authors earn bachelor's degrees in related fields like English, communications, or journalism.
Is creative writing a BA or BS?
Completing a creative writing degree almost always awards you a bachelor of arts (BA). Fields like fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction are considered creative arts. Bachelor of science (BS) programs are not typically connected with creative writing degrees. Only one institution currently offers an online BS in creative writing.
Can you have a career in creative writing?
As of 2021, the BLS reports that 142,800 people in America held jobs as authors and writers, with a projected employment growth rate of 4% from 2021-2031. Individuals with creative writing degrees can also pursue related professions as technical writers, editors, and journalists.
Page last reviewed June 19, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the BCR Rankings Team.
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