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15 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2024

May 15, 2024

Whether you studied at a top creative writing university or are a high school dropout who will one day become a bestselling author , you may be considering an MFA in Creative Writing. But is a writing MFA genuinely worth the time and potential costs? How do you know which program will best nurture your writing? If you’re considering an MFA, this article walks you through the best full-time, low residency, and online Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.

What are the best Creative Writing MFA programs?

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this article, let’s start with the basics. What is an MFA, anyway?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications typically require a sample portfolio, usually 10-20 pages (and sometimes up to 30-40) of your best writing. Moreover, you can receive an MFA in a particular genre, such as Fiction or Poetry, or more broadly in Creative Writing. However, if you take the latter approach, you often have the opportunity to specialize in a single genre.

Wondering what actually goes on in a creative writing MFA beyond inspiring award-winning books and internet memes ? You enroll in workshops where you get feedback on your creative writing from your peers and a faculty member. You enroll in seminars where you get a foundation of theory and techniques. Then, you finish the degree with a thesis project. Thesis projects are typically a body of polished, publishable-quality creative work in your genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

Why should I get an MFA in Creative Writing?

You don’t need an MFA to be a writer. Just look at Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison or bestselling novelist Emily St. John Mandel.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons you might still want to get a creative writing MFA. The first is, unfortunately, prestige. An MFA from a top program can help you stand out in a notoriously competitive industry to be published.

The second reason: time. Many MFA programs give you protected writing time, deadlines, and maybe even a (dainty) salary.

Third, an MFA in Creative Writing is a terminal degree. This means that this degree allows you to teach writing at the university level, especially after you publish a book.

Fourth: resources. MFA programs are often staffed by brilliant, award-winning writers; offer lecture series, volunteer opportunities, and teaching positions; and run their own (usually prestigious) literary magazines. Such resources provide you with the knowledge and insight you’ll need to navigate the literary and publishing world on your own post-graduation.

But above all, the biggest reason to pursue an MFA is the community it brings you. You get to meet other writers—and share feedback, advice, and moral support—in relationships that can last for decades.

Types of Creative Writing MFA Programs

Here are the different types of programs to consider, depending on your needs:

Fully-Funded Full-Time Programs

These programs offer full-tuition scholarships and sweeten the deal by actually paying you to attend them.

• Pros: You’re paid to write (and teach).
• Cons: Uprooting your entire life to move somewhere possibly very cold.

Full-Time MFA Programs

These programs include attending in-person classes and paying tuition (though many offer need-based and merit scholarships).

• Pros: Lots of top-notch non-funded programs have more assets to attract world-class faculty and guests.
• Cons: It’s an investment that might not pay itself back.

Low-Residency MFA Programs

Low-residency programs usually meet biannually for short sessions. They also offer one-on-one support throughout the year. These MFAs are more independent, preparing you for what the writing life is actually like.

• Pros: No major life changes required. Cons: Less time dedicated to writing and less time to build relationships.

Online MFA Programs

Held 100% online. These programs have high acceptance rates and no residency requirement. That means zero travel or moving expenses.

• Pros: No major life changes required.
• Cons: These MFAs have less name recognition.

The Top 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs Ranked by Category

The following programs are selected for their balance of high funding, impressive return on investment, stellar faculty, major journal publications , and impressive alums.

FULLY FUNDED MFA PROGRAMS

1) johns hopkins university , mfa in fiction/poetry.

This two-year program offers an incredibly generous funding package: $39,000 teaching fellowships each year. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and the option to apply for a lecture position after graduation. Many grads publish their first book within three years (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Incoming class size: 8 students (4 per genre)
• Admissions rate: 4-8%
• Alumni: Chimamanda Adichie, Jeffrey Blitz, Wes Craven, Louise Erdrich, Porochista Khakpour, Phillis Levin, ZZ Packer, Tom Sleigh, Elizabeth Spires, Rosanna Warren

2) University of Texas, James Michener Center

The only MFA that offers full and equal funding for every writer. It’s three years long, offers a generous yearly stipend of $30k, and provides full tuition plus a health insurance stipend. Fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting concentrations are available. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $4,000 for the summer.

• Location : Austin, TX
• Incoming class size : 12 students
• Acceptance rate: a bone-chilling less-than-1% in fiction; 2-3% in other genres
• Alumni: Fiona McFarlane, Brian McGreevy, Karan Mahajan, Alix Ohlin, Kevin Powers, Lara Prescott, Roger Reeves, Maria Reva, Domenica Ruta, Sam Sax, Joseph Skibell, Dominic Smith

3) University of Iowa

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a 2-year program on a residency model for fiction and poetry. This means there are low requirements, and lots of time to write groundbreaking novels or play pool at the local bar. All students receive full funding, including tuition, a living stipend, and subsidized health insurance. The Translation MFA , co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years long but with more intensive coursework. The Nonfiction Writing Program is a prestigious three-year MFA program and is also intensive.

• Incoming class size: 25 each for poetry and fiction; 10-12 for nonfiction and translation.
• Acceptance rate: 2.7-3.7%
• Fantastic Alumni: Raymond Carver, Flannery O’Connor, Sandra Cisneros, Joy Harjo, Garth Greenwell, Kiley Reid, Brandon Taylor, Eula Biss, Yiyun Li, Jennifer Croft

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 

4) university of michigan.

Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students in UMichigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there’s lots to do when you have a $25,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.

This is a 2-3-year program in either fiction or poetry, with an impressive reputation. They also have a demonstrated commitment to “ push back against the darkness of intolerance and injustice ” and have outreach programs in the community.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Incoming class size: 18 (9 in each genre)
• Acceptance rate: 2%
• Alumni: Brit Bennett, Vievee Francis, Airea D. Matthews, Celeste Ng, Chigozie Obioma, Jia Tolentino, Jesmyn Ward

5) Brown University

Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that only occasionally dips into arctic temperatures. All students are fully funded for 2 years, which includes tuition remission and a $32k yearly stipend. Students also get summer funding and—you guessed it—that sweet, sweet health insurance.

In the Brown Literary Arts MFA, students take only one workshop and one elective per semester. It’s also the only program in the country to feature a Digital/Cross Disciplinary Track.  Fiction and Poetry Tracks are offered as well.

• Location: Providence, RI
• Incoming class size: 12-13
• Acceptance rate: “highly selective”
• Alumni: Edwidge Danticat, Jaimy Gordon, Gayl Jones, Ben Lerner, Joanna Scott, Kevin Young, Ottessa Moshfegh

6) University of Arizona

This 3-year program with fiction, poetry, and nonfiction tracks has many attractive qualities. It’s in “ the lushest desert in the world, ” and was recently ranked #4 in creative writing programs, and #2 in Nonfiction. You can take classes in multiple genres, and in fact, are encouraged to do so. Plus, Arizona’s dry heat is good for arthritis.

This notoriously supportive program is fully funded. Moreover, teaching assistantships that provide a salary, health insurance, and tuition waiver are offered to all students. Tucson is home to a hopping literary scene, so it’s also possible to volunteer at multiple literary organizations and even do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.

• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Incoming class size: usually 6
• Acceptance rate: 1.2% (a refreshingly specific number after Brown’s evasiveness)
• Alumni: Francisco Cantú, Jos Charles, Tony Hoagland, Nancy Mairs, Richard Russo, Richard Siken, Aisha Sabatini Sloan, David Foster Wallace

7) Arizona State University 

With concentrations in fiction and poetry, Arizona State is a three-year funded program in arthritis-friendly dry heat. It offers small class sizes, individual mentorships, and one of the most impressive faculty rosters in the game. Moreover, it encourages cross-genre study.

Funding-wise, everyone has the option to take on a teaching assistantship position, which provides a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a yearly stipend of $25k. Other opportunities for financial support exist as well.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• Incoming class size: 8-10
• Acceptance rate: 3% (sigh)
• Alumni: Tayari Jones, Venita Blackburn, Dorothy Chan, Adrienne Celt, Dana Diehl, Matthew Gavin Frank, Caitlin Horrocks, Allegra Hyde, Hugh Martin, Bonnie Nadzam

FULL-RESIDENCY MFAS (UNFUNDED)

8) new york university.

This two-year program is in New York City, meaning it comes with close access to literary opportunities and hot dogs. NYU also has one of the most accomplished faculty lists anywhere. Students have large cohorts (more potential friends!) and have a penchant for winning top literary prizes. Concentrations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction are available.

• Location: New York, NY
• Incoming class size: ~60; 20-30 students accepted for each genre
• Acceptance rate: 6-9%
• Alumni: Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong

9) Columbia University

Another 2-3 year private MFA program with drool-worthy permanent and visiting faculty. Columbia offers courses in fiction, poetry, translation, and nonfiction. Beyond the Ivy League education, Columbia offers close access to agents, and its students have a high record of bestsellers. Finally, teaching positions and fellowships are available to help offset the high tuition.

• Incoming class size: 110
• Acceptance rate: not publicized (boo)
• Alumni: Alexandra Kleeman, Rachel Kushner, Claudia Rankine, Rick Moody, Sigrid Nunez, Tracy K. Smith, Emma Cline, Adam Wilson, Marie Howe, Mary Jo Bang

10) Sarah Lawrence 

Sarah Lawrence offers a concentration in speculative fiction in addition to the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction choices. Moreover, they encourage cross-genre exploration. With intimate class sizes, this program is unique because it offers biweekly one-on-one conferences with its stunning faculty. It also has a notoriously supportive atmosphere, and many teaching and funding opportunities are available.

• Location: Bronxville, NY
• Incoming class size: 30-40
• Acceptance rate: not publicized
• Alumni: Cynthia Cruz, Melissa Febos, T Kira Madden, Alex Dimitrov, Moncho Alvarado

LOW RESIDENCY

11) bennington college.

This two-year program boasts truly stellar faculty, and meets twice a year for ten days in January and June. It’s like a biannual vacation in beautiful Vermont, plus mentorship by a famous writer. The rest of the time, you’ll be spending approximately 25 hours per week on reading and writing assignments. Students have the option to concentrate in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Uniquely, they can also opt for a dual-genre focus.

The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available. Additionally, Bennington offers full-immersion teaching fellowships to MFA students, which are extremely rare in low-residency programs.

• Location: Bennington, VT
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Incoming class: 25-35
• Alumni: Larissa Pham, Andrew Reiner, Lisa Johnson Mitchell, and others

12)  Institute for American Indian Arts

This two-year program emphasizes Native American and First Nations writing. With truly amazing faculty and visiting writers, they offer a wide range of genres, including screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition, each student is matched with a faculty mentor who works with them one-on-one throughout the semester.

Students attend two eight-day residencies each year, in January and July, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At $12,000 in tuition a year, it boasts being “ one of the most affordable MFA programs in the country .”

• Location: Santa Fe, NM
• Incoming class size : 21
• Alumni: Tommy Orange, Dara Yen Elerath, Kathryn Wilder

13) Vermont College of Fine Arts

VCFA is the only graduate school on this list that focuses exclusively on the fine arts. Their MFA in Writing offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; they also offer an MFA in Literary Translation and one of the few MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults . Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, either in-person or online. Here, they receive one-on-one mentorship that continues for the rest of the semester. You can also do many travel residencies in exciting (and warm) places like Cozumel.

VCFA boasts amazing faculty and visiting writers, with individualized study options and plenty of one-on-one time. Tuition for the full two-year program is approximately $54k.

• Location : Various; 2024/25 residencies are in Colorado and California
• Incoming class size: 18-25
• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Alumnx: Lauren Markham, Mary-Kim Arnold, Cassie Beasley, Kate Beasley, Julie Berry, Bridget Birdsall, Gwenda Bond, Pablo Cartaya

ONLINE MFAS

14) university of texas at el paso.

UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Accordingly, this program is geared toward serious writers who want to pursue teaching and/or publishing. Intensive workshops allow submissions in Spanish and/or English, and genres include poetry and fiction.

No residencies are required, but an optional opportunity to connect in person is available every year. This three-year program costs about $25-30k total, depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.

• Location: El Paso, TX
• Acceptance rate: “highly competitive”
• Alumni: Watch alumni testimonies here

15) Bay Path University

This 2-year online, no-residency program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. Featuring a supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and an optional yearly field trip to Ireland.

There are many tracks, including publishing, narrative medicine, and teaching creative writing. Moreover, core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, food/travel writing, and the personal essay. Tuition is approximately $31,000 for the entire program, with scholarships available.

• Location: Longmeadow, MA
• Incoming class size: 20
• Alumni: Read alumni testimonies here

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs — Final Thoughts

Whether you’re aiming for a fully funded, low residency, or completely online MFA program, there are plenty of incredible options available—all of which will sharpen your craft while immersing you in the vibrant literary arts community.

Hoping to prepare for your MFA in advance? You might consider checking out the following:

• Best English Programs
• Best Colleges for Creative Writing
• Writing Summer Programs
• Best Writing Competitions for High School Students

Inspired to start writing? Get your pencil ready:

• 100 Creative Writing Prompts 
• 1 00 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing
• 60 Senior Project Ideas
• Common App Essay Prompts

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs – References:

• https://www.pw.org/mfa
• The Creative Writing MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students , by Tom Kealey (A&C Black 2005)
• Graduate School Admissions

Julia Conrad

With a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian from Wesleyan University as well as MFAs in both Nonfiction Writing and Literary Translation from the University of Iowa, Julia is an experienced writer, editor, educator, and a former Fulbright Fellow. Julia’s work has been featured in  The Millions ,  Asymptote , and  The Massachusetts Review , among other publications. To read more of her work, visit  www.juliaconrad.net

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The 10 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in the US

The talent is there. 

But the next generation of great American writers needs a collegial place to hone their craft. 

They need a place to explore the writer’s role in a wider community. 

They really need guidance about how and when to publish. 

All these things can be found in a solid Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree program. This degree offers access to mentors, to colleagues, and to a future in the writing world. 

A good MFA program gives new writers a precious few years to focus completely on their work, an ideal space away from the noise and pressure of the fast-paced modern world. 

We’ve found ten of the best ones, all of which provide the support, the creative stimulation, and the tranquility necessary to foster a mature writer.

We looked at graduate departments from all regions, public and private, all sizes, searching for the ten most inspiring Creative Writing MFA programs. 

Each of these ten institutions has assembled stellar faculties, developed student-focused paths of study, and provide robust support for writers accepted into their degree programs. 

To be considered for inclusion in this list, these MFA programs all must be fully-funded degrees, as recognized by Read The Workshop .

Creative Writing education has broadened and expanded over recent years, and no single method or plan fits for all students. 

Today, MFA programs across the country give budding short story writers and poets a variety of options for study. For future novelists, screenwriters – even viral bloggers – the search for the perfect setting for their next phase of development starts with these outstanding institutions, all of which have developed thoughtful and particular approaches to study.

So where will the next Salinger scribble his stories on the steps of the student center, or the next Angelou reading her poems in the local bookstore’s student-run poetry night? At one of these ten programs.

Here are 10 of the best creative writing MFA programs in the US.

University of Oregon (Eugene, OR)

Starting off the list is one of the oldest and most venerated Creative Writing programs in the country, the MFA at the University of Oregon. 

Longtime mentor, teacher, and award-winning poet Garrett Hongo directs the program, modeling its studio-based approach to one-on-one instruction in the English college system. 

Oregon’s MFA embraces its reputation for rigor. Besides attending workshops and tutorials, students take classes in more formal poetics and literature.  

A classic college town, Eugene provides an ideal backdrop for the writers’ community within Oregon’s MFA students and faculty.  

Tsunami Books , a local bookseller with national caché, hosts student-run readings featuring writers from the program. 

Graduates garner an impressive range of critical acclaim; Yale Younger Poet winner Brigit Pegeen Kelly, Cave Canem Prize winner and Guggenheim fellow Major Jackson, and PEN-Hemingway Award winner Chang-Rae Lee are noteworthy alumni. 

With its appealing setting and impressive reputation, Oregon’s MFA program attracts top writers as visiting faculty, including recent guests Elizabeth McCracken, David Mura, and Li-young Lee.

The individual approach defines the Oregon MFA experience; a key feature of the program’s first year is the customized reading list each MFA student creates with their faculty guide. 

Weekly meetings focus not only on the student’s writing, but also on the extended discovery of voice through directed reading. 

Accepting only ten new students a year—five in poetry and five in fiction— the University of Oregon’s MFA ensures a close-knit community with plenty of individual coaching and guidance.

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

Cornell University’s MFA program takes the long view on life as a writer, incorporating practical editorial training and teaching experience into its two-year program.

Incoming MFA students choose their own faculty committee of at least two faculty members, providing consistent advice as they move through a mixture of workshop and literature classes. 

Students in the program’s first year benefit from editorial training as readers and editors for Epoch , the program’s prestigious literary journal.

Teaching experience grounds the Cornell program. MFA students design and teach writing-centered undergraduate seminars on a variety of topics, and they remain in Ithaca during the summer to teach in programs for undergraduates. 

Cornell even allows MFA graduates to stay on as lecturers at Cornell for a period of time while they are on the job search. Cornell also offers a joint MFA/Ph.D. program through the Creative Writing and English departments.

Endowments fund several acclaimed reading series, drawing internationally known authors to campus for workshops and work sessions with MFA students. 

Recent visiting readers include Salman Rushdie, Sandra Cisneros, Billy Collins, Margaret Atwood, Ada Limón, and others. 

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

Arizona State’s MFA in Creative Writing spans three years, giving students ample time to practice their craft, develop a voice, and begin to find a place in the post-graduation literary world. 

Coursework balances writing and literature classes equally, with courses in craft and one-on-one mentoring alongside courses in literature, theory, or even electives in topics like fine press printing, bookmaking, or publishing. 

While students follow a path in either poetry or fiction, they are encouraged to take courses across the genres.

Teaching is also a focus in Arizona State’s MFA program, with funding coming from teaching assistantships in the school’s English department. Other exciting teaching opportunities include teaching abroad in locations around the world, funded through grants and internships.

The Virginia C. Piper Center for Creative Writing, affiliated with the program, offers Arizona State MFA students professional development in formal and informal ways. 

The Distinguished Writers Series and Desert Nights, Rising Stars Conference bring world-class writers to campus, allowing students to interact with some of the greatest in the profession. Acclaimed writer and poet Alberto Ríos directs the Piper Center.

Arizona State transitions students to the world after graduation through internships with publishers like Four Way Books. 

Its commitment to the student experience and its history of producing acclaimed writers—recent examples include Tayari Jones (Oprah’s Book Club, 2018; Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2019), Venita Blackburn ( Prairie Schooner Book Prize, 2018), and Hugh Martin ( Iowa Review Jeff Sharlet Award for Veterans)—make Arizona State University’s MFA a consistent leader among degree programs.

University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)

The University of Texas at Austin’s MFA program, the Michener Center for Writers, maintains one of the most vibrant, exciting, active literary faculties of any MFA program.

Denis Johnson D.A. Powell, Geoff Dyer, Natasha Trethewey, Margot Livesey, Ben Fountain: the list of recent guest faculty boasts some of the biggest names in current literature.

This three-year program fully funds candidates without teaching fellowships or assistantships; the goal is for students to focus entirely on their writing. 

More genre tracks at the Michener Center mean students can choose two focus areas, a primary and secondary, from Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, and Playwriting.

The Michener Center for Writers plays a prominent role in contemporary writing of all kinds. 

The hip, student-edited Bat City Review accepts work of all genres, visual art, cross genres, collaborative, and experimental pieces.  

Recent events for illustrious alumni include New Yorker publications, an Oprah Book Club selection, a screenwriting prize, and a 2021 Pulitzer (for visiting faculty member Mitchell Jackson). 

In this program, students are right in the middle of all the action of contemporary American literature.

Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

The MFA in Creative Writing at Washington University in St. Louis is a program on the move: applicants have almost doubled here in the last five years. 

Maybe this sudden growth of interest comes from recent rising star alumni on the literary scene, like Paul Tran, Miranda Popkey, and National Book Award winner Justin Phillip Reed.

Or maybe it’s the high profile Washington University’s MFA program commands, with its rotating faculty post through the Hurst Visiting Professor program and its active distinguished reader series. 

Superstar figures like Alison Bechdel and George Saunders have recently held visiting professorships, maintaining an energetic atmosphere program-wide.

Washington University’s MFA program sustains a reputation for the quality of the mentorship experience. 

With only five new students in each genre annually, MFA candidates form close cohorts among their peers and enjoy attentive support and mentorship from an engaged and vigorous faculty. 

Three genre tracks are available to students: fiction, poetry, and the increasingly relevant and popular creative nonfiction.

Another attractive feature of this program: first-year students are fully funded, but not expected to take on a teaching role until their second year. 

A generous stipend, coupled with St. Louis’s low cost of living, gives MFA candidates at Washington University the space to develop in a low-stress but stimulating creative environment.

Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)

It’s one of the first and biggest choices students face when choosing an MFA program: two-year or three-year? 

Indiana University makes a compelling case for its three-year program, in which the third year of support allows students an extended period of time to focus on the thesis, usually a novel or book-length collection.

One of the older programs on the list, Indiana’s MFA dates back to 1948. 

Its past instructors and alumni read like the index to an American Literature textbook. 

How many places can you take classes in the same place Robert Frost once taught, not to mention the program that granted its first creative writing Master’s degree to David Wagoner? Even today, the program’s integrity and reputation draw faculty like Ross Gay and Kevin Young.

Indiana’s Creative Writing program houses two more literary institutions, the Indiana Review, and the Indiana University Writers’ Conference. 

Students make up the editorial staff of this lauded literary magazine, in some cases for course credit or a stipend. An MFA candidate serves each year as assistant director of the much-celebrated and highly attended conference . 

These two facets of Indiana’s program give graduate students access to visiting writers, professional experience, and a taste of the writing life beyond academia.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI)

The University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program cultivates its students with a combination of workshop-driven course work and vigorous programming on and off-campus. Inventive new voices in fiction and poetry consistently emerge from this two-year program.

The campus hosts multiple readings, events, and contests, anchored by the Zell Visiting Writers Series. The Hopgood Awards offer annual prize money to Michigan creative writing students . 

The department cultivates relationships with organizations and events around Detroit, so whether it’s introducing writers at Literati bookstore or organizing writing retreats in conjunction with local arts organizations, MFA candidates find opportunities to cultivate a community role and public persona as a writer.

What happens after graduation tells the big story of this program. Michigan produces heavy hitters in the literary world, like Celeste Ng, Jesmyn Ward, Elizabeth Kostova, Nate Marshall, Paisley Rekdal, and Laura Kasischke. 

Their alumni place their works with venerable houses like Penguin and Harper Collins, longtime literary favorites Graywolf and Copper Canyon, and the new vanguard like McSweeney’s, Fence, and Ugly Duckling Presse.

University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

Structure combined with personal attention and mentorship characterizes the University of Minnesota’s Creative Writing MFA, starting with its unique program requirements. 

In addition to course work and a final thesis, Minnesota’s MFA candidates assemble a book list of personally significant works on literary craft, compose a long-form essay on their writing process, and defend their thesis works with reading in front of an audience.

Literary journal Great River Review and events like the First Book reading series and Mill City Reading series do their part to expand the student experience beyond the focus on the internal. 

The Edelstein-Keller Visiting Writer Series draws exceptional, culturally relevant writers like Chuck Klosterman and Claudia Rankine for readings and student conversations. 

Writer and retired University of Minnesota instructor Charles Baxter established the program’s Hunger Relief benefit , aiding Minnesota’s Second Harvest Heartland organization. 

Emblematic of the program’s vision of the writer in service to humanity, this annual contest and reading bring together distinguished writers, students, faculty, and community members in favor of a greater goal.

Brown University (Providence, RI)

One of the top institutions on any list, Brown University features an elegantly-constructed Literary Arts Program, with students choosing one workshop and one elective per semester. 

The electives can be taken from any department at Brown; especially popular choices include Studio Art and other coursework through the affiliated Rhode Island School of Design. The final semester consists of thesis construction under the supervision of the candidate’s faculty advisor.

Brown is the only MFA program to feature, in addition to poetry and fiction tracks, the Digital/Cross Disciplinary track . 

This track attracts multidisciplinary writers who need the support offered by Brown’s collaboration among music, visual art, computer science, theater and performance studies, and other departments. 

The interaction with the Rhode Island School of Design also allows those artists interested in new forms of media to explore and develop their practice, inventing new forms of art and communication.

Brown’s Literary Arts Program focuses on creating an atmosphere where students can refine their artistic visions, supported by like-minded faculty who provide the time and materials necessary to innovate. 

Not only has the program produced trailblazing writers like Percival Everett and Otessa Moshfegh, but works composed by alumni incorporating dance, music, media, and theater have been performed around the world, from the stage at Kennedy Center to National Public Radio.

University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)

When most people hear “MFA in Creative Writing,” it’s the Iowa Writers’ Workshop they imagine. 

The informal name of the University of Iowa’s Program in Creative Writing, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop was the first to offer an MFA, back in 1936. 

One of the first diplomas went to renowned writer Wallace Stegner, who later founded the MFA program at Stanford.

 It’s hard to argue with seventeen Pulitzer Prize winners and six U.S. Poets Laureate. The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is the root system of the MFA tree.

The two-year program balances writing courses with coursework in other graduate departments at the university. In addition to the book-length thesis, a written exam is part of the student’s last semester.

Because the program represents the quintessential idea of a writing program, it attracts its faculty positions, reading series, events, and workshops the brightest lights of the literary world. 

The program’s flagship literary magazine, the Iowa Review , is a lofty goal for writers at all stages of their career. 

At the Writers’ Workshop, tracks include not only fiction, poetry, playwriting, and nonfiction, but also Spanish creative writing and literary translation. Their reading series in association with Prairie Lights bookstore streams online and is heard around the world.

Iowa’s program came into being in answer to the central question posed to each one of these schools: can writing be taught? 

The answer for a group of intrepid, creative souls in 1936 was, actually, “maybe not.” 

But they believed it could be cultivated; each one of these institutions proves it can be, in many ways, for those willing to commit the time and imagination.

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Best Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs of 2024

Written by Alex Kale

Updated: April 11, 2024

Compare School Options

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

For creative individuals eager to refine their craft under the guidance of accomplished mentors and dedicate significant time to their writing, pursuing a master’s in creative writing may be the next step in your journey. While these programs don’t guarantee a future as a bestselling novelist or a lauded poet, they offer substantial mentorship and a comprehensive education, setting a solid foundation for success in the literary field.

Most graduates find opportunities in academia, where the demand for college and university professors is expected to grow by 8% in the next decade, offering a median salary of $80,840 . These programs span 18 months to three years, and while costs vary, the average tuition was $19,749 for the 2020-2021 academic year.

How to Choose a Master’s in Creative Writing Program

Choose your area of study.

Selecting an area of study for your master’s in creative writing is an especially important first step for this degree, as many programs offer specialized tracks to better align with student interests.

For some students, deciding between poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or screenwriting may be relatively straightforward, as many come to these programs with existing interests and writing experience. This choice can be more challenging for others, requiring reflection on their interests and career goals.

Understanding your preferred genre or form is crucial. It will direct you to a program that best supports your aspirations, offering workshops, mentorship, and resources to hone your craft.

Research schools and programs

Once you’ve decided on an area of study, it’s time to research potential schools and programs that can support your educational and professional interests. Consider asking the following questions to guide your research:

• What are the faculty’s backgrounds and areas of expertise?
• How does the curriculum align with your specific interests?
• What opportunities exist for workshops, readings, and publishing?
• Are there assistantships, fellowships, or financial aid options?
• How does the program support career development post-graduation?

This information can be found on university websites, by contacting admissions counselors or program coordinators, or by connecting with current students and alumni.

Prepare for tests and applications

With your shortlist of programs in hand, you can begin preparing for tests and applications.

Focusing on crafting a solid writing sample is crucial, as this illustrates your skills and potential. However, it’s equally important to dedicate time to writing your personal statement and preparing for the GRE — if your program requires standardized test scores. Consider enrolling in a test prep program to improve your performance and boost your scores.

Remember transcripts and letters of recommendation; you’ll want to request these early, as they often take time to gather. To avoid any last-minute rushes, provide your recommenders with clear deadlines, typically around two months.

Select your program

If you submit multiple applications, you may receive multiple acceptance letters. In these situations, set aside some time to revisit your initial research criteria to ensure you select the right program.

Consider curriculum relevance, faculty experience, and the strength of the alumni network, as mentorship is an essential aspect of these programs. Given their significant role in your development, you’ll want to choose faculty you’re eager to learn from. Lastly, assess the total cost of attendance alongside any financial aid offers, including fellowships and assistantships.

Determine how you’ll pay for your degree

While financing your degree can feel daunting, many financial aid resources are available to help. Start by exploring scholarships and grants that don’t require repayment. Next, look into assistantships and fellowships offered by your institution, as these provide funding alongside resume-boosting professional experience.

Use federal loans sparingly to cover any remaining financial gaps. Remember that every dollar taken out on a loan will have to be repaid with interest, so minimize your reliance on these to avoid accruing debt.

Best 50 Accredited Master’s in Creative Writing Programs

intelligent score 99.39

#8 College Factual #8 Best Value Schools #21 College Rank

School Information

Cambridge, MA

Graduation Rate: 98%

Admission Rate: 4%

Urbanicity: City

School Size: Medium

Delivery Format Hybrid

Required Credits to Graduate 36

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,073

accreditation New England Commission of Higher Education

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-495-4024

intelligent score 99.12

#5 Best Value Schools #6 College Factual

Seattle, WA

Graduation Rate: 84%

Admission Rate: 53%

School Size: Large

Delivery Format On-Campus

Required Credits to Graduate 40

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $834 Non-Resident: $1,494

accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 206-543-9865

intelligent score 98.56

#3 Best Accredited Colleges #9 Best Value Schools #14 College Factual

Graduation Rate: 88%

Admission Rate: 19%

Required Credits to Graduate 32

Estimated Cost per Credit $2,083

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-353-2510

intelligent score 98.52

#4 College Factual #7 Best Accredited Colleges

Iowa City, IA

Graduation Rate: 71%

Admission Rate: 86%

Required Credits to Graduate 48

Estimated Cost per Credit $626

accreditation Higher Learning Commission

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 319-335-3847

intelligent score 98.33

#3 College Factual #14 Best Value Schools

Evanston, IL

Graduation Rate: 95%

Admission Rate: 7%

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,917

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 847-491-5279

intelligent score 98.22

#5 College Factual

Minneapolis, MN

Graduation Rate: 81%

Admission Rate: 73%

Required Credits to Graduate 45

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $1,593 Non-Resident: $2,465

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 612-625-6366

intelligent score 97.51

#1 College Rank

Danbury, CT

Graduation Rate: 52%

Admission Rate: 81%

Required Credits to Graduate 60

Estimated Cost per Credit $562

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 203-837-8243

intelligent score 97.05

#4 College Rank

Victoria, TX

Graduation Rate: 51%

Delivery Format On-Campus, Online

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $368 Non-Resident: $788

accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 877-970-4848

intelligent score 96.63

#5 Best Accredited Colleges #15 College Factual

New York, NY

Admission Rate: 21%

Estimated Cost per Credit $2,157

accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 212-998-8816

intelligent score 96.06

#5 College Rank

Columbus, MS

Graduation Rate: 62%

Admission Rate: 99%

Urbanicity: Town

Estimated Cost per Credit $450

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 662-329-7169

intelligent score 94.96

Notre Dame, IN

Graduation Rate: 97%

Admission Rate: 15%

Urbanicity: Suburban

Estimated Cost per Credit $3,576

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 574-631-7226

intelligent score 94.59

Ellensburg, WA

Graduation Rate: 64%

Admission Rate: 88%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $735 Non-Resident: $1,723

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 509-963-1546

intelligent score 94.39

Nashville, TN

Graduation Rate: 94%

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,140

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 615-343-2727

intelligent score 94.22

Graduation Rate: 82%

Admission Rate: 29%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $1,210 Non-Resident: $1,863

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-471-4141

intelligent score 93.23

Graduation Rate: 74%

Admission Rate: 91%

Required Credits to Graduate 54

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $611 Non-Resident: $1,548

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 515-294-2180

intelligent score 92.70

El Paso, TX

Graduation Rate: 48%

Admission Rate: 100%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $495 Non-Resident: $1,033

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 915-747-5237

intelligent score 91.36

Saint Charles, MO

Graduation Rate: 55%

Admission Rate: 75%

Estimated Cost per Credit $561

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 636-949-2000

intelligent score 91.05

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Admission Rate: 95%

Required Credits to Graduate 30-49

Estimated Cost per Credit $675 - $750

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 570-408-4527

intelligent score 90.14

Fairfax, VA

Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $572 Out-of-State: $1,486

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 703-993-1180

intelligent score 90.07

Rexburg, ID

Graduation Rate: 65%

Admission Rate: 97%

Estimated Cost per Credit $480 - $960

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 801-422-4938

intelligent score 89.85

Buckhannon, WV

Admission Rate: 84%

School Size: Small

Required Credits to Graduate 49

Estimated Cost per Credit $475

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 304-473-8523

intelligent score 89.28

Raleigh, NC

Admission Rate: 47%

Estimated Cost per Credit In-state: $525 Out-of-state: $1,635

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 919-515-4106

intelligent score 87.26

Admission Rate: 74%

Required Credits to Graduate 39

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $1,862 Non-Resident: $3,391

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 734-764-6330

intelligent score 85.56

La Grande, OR

Graduation Rate: 38%

Admission Rate: 98%

Delivery Format On-Campus, Online, Hybrid

Estimated Cost per Credit $520

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 541-962-3393

intelligent score 85.28

Graduation Rate: 80%

Admission Rate: 89%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $495 Non-Resident: $1,417

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 513-529-5221

intelligent score 84.41

San Marcos, TX

Graduation Rate: 61%

Admission Rate: 85%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $357 Non-Resident: $767

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-245-2581

intelligent score 82.58

Tallahassee, FL

Admission Rate: 32%

Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $479 Out-of-State: $1,111

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 850-644-4231

intelligent score 81.36

Spartanburg, SC

Graduation Rate: 56%

Admission Rate: 82%

Estimated Cost per Credit $640

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 864-596-9040

intelligent score 81.18

Bowling Green, OH

Graduation Rate: 58%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $536 Non-Resident: $868

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 419-372-2791

intelligent score 80.53

Mississippi State, MS

Graduation Rate: 60%

Admission Rate: 80%

Required Credits to Graduate 30

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $545 Non-Resident: $1,476

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 662-325-7400

intelligent score 79.83

Syracuse, NY

Admission Rate: 59%

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,872

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 315-443-4322

intelligent score 79.53

Philadelphia, PA

Graduation Rate: 68%

Admission Rate: 83%

Estimated Cost per Credit $691

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 215-895-1805

intelligent score 79.21

Gainesville, FL

Graduation Rate: 72%

Admission Rate: 66%

Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $471 Out-of-State: $1,116

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 352-392-6622

intelligent score 78.90

San Diego, CA

Graduation Rate: 79%

Admission Rate: 38%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $368 Non-Resident: $764

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 619-594-5443

intelligent score 78.66

Graduation Rate: 96%

Admission Rate: 9%

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,093

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 607-255-6800

intelligent score 78.46

Adelphi, MD

Graduation Rate: 30%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $828 Non-Resident: $1,805

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 301-405-3809

intelligent score 78.22

Graduation Rate: 59%

Admission Rate: 92%

Required Credits to Graduate 30-39

Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $557 Out-of-State: $1,696

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 207-581-3291

intelligent score 78.1

Admission Rate: 87%

Estimated Cost per Credit $514

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 402-554-3857

intelligent score 78.06

Required Credits to Graduate 42

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $1,028 Non-Resident: $2,428

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 520-621-9771

intelligent score 77.99

Glenside, PA

Estimated Cost per Credit $840

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 877-272-2342

intelligent score 77.90

Ashland, OH

Graduation Rate: 66%

Admission Rate: 70%

Urbanicity: Rural

Estimated Cost per Credit $860

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 419-289-5098

intelligent score 77.55

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $897 Non-Resident: $1,472

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 480-727-9130

intelligent score 74.80

Admission Rate: 41%

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,402

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-824-8610

intelligent score 74.51

Huntsville, AL

Graduation Rate: 54%

Admission Rate: 77%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $635 Non-Resident: $1,660

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 205-348-5065

intelligent score 73.95

Flagstaff, AZ

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $790 Non-Resident: $1,956

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 928-523-4911

intelligent score 72.63

Charlotte, NC

Admission Rate: 69%

Required Credits to Graduate 52

Estimated Cost per Credit $815

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 704-337-2499

intelligent score 72.15

Champaign, IL

Graduation Rate: 86%

Admission Rate: 60%

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $878 Non-Resident: $1,897

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 217-333-2391

intelligent score 72.10

Graduation Rate: 73%

Admission Rate: 72%

Required Credits to Graduate 33

Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $1,053 Out-of-State: $1,449

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 215-204-1796

intelligent score 71.64

Graduation Rate: 63%

Estimated Cost per Credit $925

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-349-8300

intelligent score 71.32

Salt Lake City, UT

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $1,272 Non-Resident: $4,517

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 801-581-6168

Discover More Options

How we rank schools.

We reviewed many master’s in creative writing programs, including ones offered on-campus, online, and through both modes. Most of these degrees are offered as a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), which is considered a terminal degree in the fine arts field.

The institutions on this list are all approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Attending an accredited degree program guarantees you’ll receive a quality education and ensures your degree will be recognized by other schools and employers. Recognition is important if you decide to transfer or hope to teach at a school.

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology .

What Can You Expect From a Master’s in Creative Writing Program?

By earning a master’s in creative writing, you’ll enter an immersive program designed to refine your writing craft, critical thinking, and editorial skills across various genres — including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and even screenplay writing.

Spanning 18 months to three years, these programs combine workshops, literature courses, and seminars to strengthen your understanding of narrative structure, character development, and the nuances of language and style. You’ll hone your unique voice and storytelling abilities through intensive writing practice and feedback from peers and seasoned faculty. Critical analysis of literary work complements your creative endeavors, improving your ability to critique and incorporate literary techniques into your writing.

These programs typically culminate in a thesis — a substantial, original piece of creative work (like a novel, a collection of poems, or short stories) that demonstrates mastery and readiness to contribute to the literary world.

Potential courses you’ll take in a master’s in creative writing program

• Literary Analysis for Writers: Although it may go by a different name, this course is a cornerstone in most programs. Through studying contemporary and classic literature, students learn to dissect and understand the techniques employed by successful authors. This analytical skill enhances critical thinking while informing and improving their creative writing endeavors.
• Fiction Workshop: Specifically designated for students specializing in fiction, this course encourages learners to write their own material and periodically present it for critique. Students are encouraged to experiment and grow as writers through this collaborative environment.
• Poetry Workshop: This course, particularly aimed at poets, encourages participants to explore various poetic forms and techniques, from traditional to experimental poetry. Through writing exercises and peer feedback, students learn to create vivid imagery, control rhythm and sound, and convey emotional truths concisely.
• Creative Nonfiction: This genre-bending course covers memoirs, personal essays, and literary journalism. Students learn to meld factual accuracy with storytelling, developing skills to write engaging narratives that resonate with authenticity.

Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Frequently Asked Questions

How do i apply to a master's in creative writing degree program.

To apply for a master’s in creative writing degree program, you’ll need to start by researching the specific requirements of your chosen institution, as they can vary. However, many programs share common application criteria — like the following:

• Official transcripts from undergraduate studies
• Letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose
• A writing sample in your intended discipline (such as fiction, poetry, or nonfiction)
• GRE scores , although these may be optional for some programs

Before applying, be sure to reach out to an admissions counselor. They can provide insights into the program, help answer any questions, and guide you through the application process.

How much does a master's in creative writing degree cost?

The cost of this degree will vary depending on the institution — however, the average graduate tuition for the 2020-2021 academic year was $19,749 . This figure does not account for additional expenses such as housing, commuting, library fees, and textbooks, which can significantly increase the total cost of earning your degree. As a prospective student, you should thoroughly assess these costs to create a comprehensive budget — ensuring that pursuing this degree aligns with your professional and financial goals.

How long does it take to earn a master's in creative writing degree?

Earning your master’s in creative writing usually takes two years of full-time study, though some programs may extend to three years due to additional credit requirements. For this reason, it’s crucial to check each program’s credit prerequisites, as this directly influences completion time.

Part-time students generally have up to five years to fulfill their degree obligations, but some institutions offer more flexibility, allowing for a more extended timeline.

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2024 Best Creative Writing Master's Degree Schools

Choosing a great creative writing school for your master's degree, quality overall is important, other factors we consider, more ways to rank creative writing schools.

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings , including this Best Creative Writing Master's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Creative Writing in the United States

23 top schools for a master's in creative writing, rest of the top best creative writing master's degree schools, related programs, honorable mentions.

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Our MFA database includes essential information about low- and full-residency graduate creative writing programs in the United States and other English-speaking countries to help you decide where to apply.

Adelphi University

Poetry: Jan-Henry Gray, Maya Marshall Prose: Katherine Hill, René Steinke, Igor Webb

Albertus Magnus College

Poetry: Paul Robichaud Fiction: Sarah Harris Wallman Nonfiction: Eric Schoeck

Alma College

Poetry: Leslie Contreras Schwartz, Jim Daniels, Benjamin Garcia Fiction: Karen E. Bender, Shonda Buchanan, Dhonielle Clayton, S. Kirk Walsh Creative Nonfiction: Anna Clark, Matthew Gavin Frank, Donald Quist, Robert Vivian

American University

Poetry: Kyle Dargan, David Keplinger Fiction: Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Stephanie Grant, Patricia Park Nonfiction: Rachel Louise Snyder

Antioch University

Poetry: Victoria Chang Prose: Lisa Locascio

Arcadia University

Poetry: Genevieve Betts, Michelle Reale Fiction: Stephanie Feldman, Joshua Isard, Tracey Levine, Eric Smith Literature: Matthew Heitzman, Christopher Varlack, Elizabeth Vogel, Jo Ann Weiner

Poetry: Genevieve Betts, Michelle Reale Fiction: Stephanie Feldman, Joshua Isard, Tracey Levine, Eric Smith

Arizona State University

Poetry: Sally Ball, Natalie Diaz, Alberto Álvaro Ríos, Safiya Sinclair Fiction: Matt Bell, Jenny Irish, Tara Ison, Mitchell Jackson, T. M. McNally Creative Nonfiction: Sarah Viren

Ashland University

Poetry: Dexter Booth, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Adam Gellings, Tess Taylor, Vanessa Angélica Villareal Fiction: Kirstin Chen, Edan Lepucki, Sarah Monette, Nayomi Munaweera, Vi Khi Nao, Naomi J. Williams, Kyle Winkler Nonfiction: Cass Donish, Kate Hopper, Lauren Markham, Thomas Mira y Lopez, Lisa Nikolidakis, Terese Mailhot

Augsburg University

Poetry: Michael Kleber-Diggs Fiction: Stephan Eirik Clark, Lindsay Starck Nonfiction: Anika Fajardo  Playwriting: Carson Kreitzer, TyLie Shider, Sarah Myers Screenwriting: Stephan Eirik Clark, Andy Froemke

Ball State University

Poetry: Katy Didden, Mark Neely Fiction: Cathy Day, Sean Lovelace Nonfiction: Jill Christman, Silas Hansen Screenwriting: Rani Deighe Crowe, Matt Mullins

Bard College

Jess Arndt, Shiv Kotecha, Mirene Arsanios, Hannah Black, Trisha Low, Christoper Perez, Julian Talamantez Brolaski, Simone White

Bath Spa University

Poetry: Lucy English, Tim Liardet, John Strachan, Samantha Walton, Gerard Woodward Fiction: Gavin James Bower, Celia Brayfield, Alexia Casale, Anne-Marie Crowhurst, Lucy English, Nathan Filer, Aminatta Forna, Samantha Harvey, Philip Hensher, Steve Hollyman, Emma Hooper, Claire Kendal, Natasha Pulley, Kate Pullinger, C.J. Skuse, Gerard Woodward Nonfiction: Celia Brayfield, Lily Dunn, Richard Kerridge Scriptwriting: Robin Mukherjee

Poetry: Lucy English, Tim Liardet, Gerard Woodward Fiction: Gavin James Bower, Celia Brayfield, Anne-Marie Crowhurst, Nathan Filer, Aminatta Forna, Samantha Harvey, Philip Hensher, Claire Kendal, Natasha Pulley, Kate Pullinger, Gerard Woodward Nonfiction: Lily Dunn, Richard Kerridge

Bay Path University

Mel Allen, Leanna James Blackwell, Jennifer Baker, Melanie Brooks, María Luisa Arroyo Cruzado, Shahnaz Habib, Susan Ito, Karol Jackowski, Yi Shun Lai, Anna Mantzaris, Meredith O’Brien, Mick Powell, Suzanne Strempek Shea, Tommy Shea, Kate Whouley

Bennington Writing Seminars at Bennington College

Poetry: Jennifer Chang, Michael Dumanis, Randall Mann, Craig Morgan Teicher, Mark Wunderlich Fiction: Peter Cameron, Jai Chakrabarti, Stacey D’Erasmo, Monica Ferrell, Rebecca Makkai, Stuart Nadler, Téa Obreht, Moriel Rothman-Zecher, Katy Simpson Smith, Taymour Soomro Nonfiction: Garrard Conley, Sabrina Orah Mark, Spencer Reece, Lance Richardson, Shawna Kay Rodenberg, Hugh Ryan, Greg Wrenn

Binghamton University

Poetry: Tina Chang, Joseph Weil Fiction: Amir Ahmdi Arian, Thomas Glave, Leslie L. Heywood, Claire Luchette, Liz Rosenberg, Jaimee Wriston-Colbert, Alexi Zentner Nonfiction: Amir Ahmdi Arian, Leslie L. Heywood

Bluegrass Writers Studio at Eastern Kentucky University

Poetry: Julie Hensley, Young Smith Fiction: Julie Hensley, Robert Dean Johnson Nonfiction: Robert Dean Johnson, Evan J. Massey Playwriting: Young Smith

Boise State University

Poetry: Martin Corless-Smith, Sara Nicholson, Taryn Schwilling Fiction: Mitch Wieland (Director), Anna Caritj Creative Nonfiction: Chris Violet Eaton, Clyde Moneyhun

Boston University

Poetry: Andrea Cohen, Karl Kirchwey, Robert Pinsky Fiction: Leslie Epstein, Jennifer Haigh, Ha Jin

Boston University—MFA in Literary Translation

Odile Cazenave, Yuri Corrigan, Margaret Litvin, Christopher Maurer, Roberta Micaleff, Robert Pinsky (advising), Stephen Scully, Sassan Tabatabai, J. Keith Vincent, William Waters, Dennis Wuerthner, Cathy Yeh, Anna Zielinska-Elliott

Bowling Green State University

Poetry: Abigail Cloud, Amorak Huey, Sharona Muir, F. Dan Rzicznek, Larissa Szporluk, Jessica Zinz-Cheresnick Fiction: Joe Celizic, Lawrence Coates, Reema Rajbanshi, Michael Schulz

Brigham Young University

Poetry: Kimberly Johnson, Lance Larsen, Michael Lavers, John Talbot Fiction: Chris Crowe, Ann Dee Ellis, Spencer Hyde, Stephen Tuttle Nonfiction: Joey Franklin, Patrick Madden

Brooklyn College

Poetry: Julie Agoos, Ben Lerner Fiction: Joshua Henkin, Madeleine Thien Playwriting: Dennis A. Allen II, Elana Greenfield