It’s important to find the right career path, and graduation from a creative writing degree can be a great step towards a fulfilling future. Here are the details and the comparison between the three.
What Is Creative Writing?
Creative writing is the practice of putting thoughts and feelings into words, through fiction or non-fiction prose. It often involves the use of poetic language and imagery, as well as an intuitive understanding of the human psyche. In order to become a productive member of society, you will need to understand the role that creativity plays in today’s world and how to find your voice as a writer.
A creative writing degree from one of the above-mentioned universities can help you get started, but learning how to write prose isn’t the only important concept you will gain. Equipping yourself with the tools to become a successful writer means learning how to become an effective communicator, whether you’re pitching an idea to a publisher, a potential investor, or a casual acquaintance. Your ability to inspire trust will be your secret weapon, and it’s a weapon you can learn to wield.
Which Has the Better Creative Writing Degree?
Let’s start at the top, with the most prestigious options. The University of Washington, the State University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri–Columbia all have well-deserved reputations for excellence, and it’s easy to see why. The University of Washington, in particular, has a Creative Writing program that is renowned worldwide, particularly for its low student-to-teacher ratio and for the incredible experiences it offers. In addition to affording you excellent opportunity for coursework and getting to know your professors, the program also allows you to participate in several well-regarded creative writing competitions, including the Kenyon Review Young Writer’s Award, the Bennington Writing Workshop, the Madison Review Short Story Award, and the Kingsley Turow New Writer’s Award. The University of Kansas and the University of Missouri offer similar programs with impressive credentials, and considering all the above, it’s easy to see why these are the preferred degrees for budding writers.
Which Has the Better Creative Writing Jobs?
Moving down the list, we find a couple of clear favorites. The first is the San Francisco Writers’ Workshop, a renowned program that trains future novelists and short story writers. This is an accredited creative writing program, which you can learn more about here. If you’re looking for a city with a thriving literary scene, then San Francisco is the place to be. The second option is the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, which focuses not just on teaching you how to write but also equips you with the tools necessary for success. If you’re looking for a more traditional setting, then living in Iowa City or Des Moines might be a good option for you. It’s no surprise that both these cities were important centers of literary activity in the 19th century, with more than a few famous American writers choosing to live and work there. The third option is the Louisiana State University Writing Program, which trains you in both English and Creative Writing. If you have a strong interest in pursuing a career in writing, then this is the option for you. You will learn to write both fiction and non-fiction, as well as gain experience by interning at literary journals and newspapers across the US.
Which Has the Better Living Conditions?
We’ll move to the more practical side now and compare the living standards of students attending the above-mentioned universities. The University of Washington, the State University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri–Columbia all have a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and it’s easy to see why. The University of Washington, in particular, has a Creative Writing program that is renowned worldwide, particularly for its low student-to-teacher ratio and for the incredible experiences it offers. In addition to affording you excellent opportunity for coursework and getting to know your professors, the program also allows you to participate in several well-regarded creative writing competitions, including the Kenyon Review Young Writer’s Award, the Bennington Writing Workshop, the Madison Review Short Story Award, and the Kingsley Turow New Writer’s Award. The University of Kansas and the University of Missouri offer similar programs with impressive credentials, and considering all the above, it’s easy to see why these are the preferred degrees for budding writers.
There are, of course, other options. The University of Texas at Austin, for example, has a well-established English program, which you can learn more about here. If you don’t mind living in a less-than-desirable part of the country, then the University of Southern California, the University of California, Irvine, and the University of California, Berkeley all offer solid creative writing degrees.
Which Has the Better Career Prospects?
Let’s continue our comparison and take a look at the job prospects of students attending the above-mentioned universities. The University of Washington, the State University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri–Columbia all have a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and it’s easy to see why. The University of Washington, in particular, has a Creative Writing program that is renowned worldwide, particularly for its low student-to-teacher ratio and for the incredible experiences it offers. In addition to affording you excellent opportunity for coursework and getting to know your professors, the program also allows you to participate in several well-regarded creative writing competitions, including the Kenyon Review Young Writer’s Award, the Bennington Writing Workshop, the Madison Review Short Story Award, and the Kingsley Turow New Writer’s Award. The University of Kansas and the University of Missouri offer similar programs with impressive credentials, and considering all the above, it’s easy to see why these are the preferred degrees for budding writers.
There are, of course, other options. The University of Texas at Austin, for example, has a well-established English program, which you can learn more about here. If you don’t mind living in a less-than-desirable part of the country, then the University of Southern California, the University of California, Irvine, and the University of California, Berkeley all offer solid creative writing degrees. And don’t forget about Boston University, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which all have reputable English programs.
Which one you choose will depend on what you’re looking for. If you want a prestigious and well-paying career, then you might want to consider a degree from one of the above-mentioned universities. If you’re looking for a city with a vibrant literary scene, then San Francisco is the place to be. If you’re looking for a more traditional setting, then living in Iowa City or Des Moines might be a good option for you. If you want to live in a large city with lots of job opportunities and excellent education, then Houston is the place to be. If you’re looking for a small town with a vibrant arts community, then look no further than Menomonie, Wisconsin.
No matter which degree you choose, being a creative writer is an incredibly rewarding profession, one that can afford you both respect and financial success. It is, however, a competitive field, one where being prepared and able to stand out from the crowd is very important.