Best Online Writing Programs

Do you have a way with words? Learn more about the best online bachelor”s in writing degree programs. See our list of top-ranked schools.
N. Susan Emeagwali
By
Updated September 23, 2024
chevron-up
Why Trust BestColleges
  • graphs

    3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed

  • Phone

    6,000+ Users connected with programs every month

  • 300+ College and university partners

  • 40+ Expert reviewers

Expert communicators know how to use language, literature, and writing effectively to convey messages, deploy rhetoric, and construct persuasive arguments. Individuals who possess these skills can apply them in a variety of traditional and nontraditional positions.

This guide outlines how to choose a bachelor’s in writing program. The information provided includes admission requirements, common courses, and job prospects for graduates of writing programs.

Employers in all sectors value new hires who can effectively communicate and demonstrate mastery of the written word. While traditional writing fields such as journalism still offer a natural fit for writing majors, the field continues to evolve and offers fewer prospects than it once did.

Alternatively, technical writers often begin their careers as writing majors and enjoy positive job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that from 2023-2033 the number of technical writers will increase by 4%; these professionals made a median salary of $80,050 in 2023.

A writing major also gains the foundational training needed to enter other fields, including law, teaching, advertising and public relations, and an array of new media positions (e.g., content strategists and digital producers).

Related Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Add up to three schools to compare

Best Accredited Online Bachelor’s in Writing Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
chevron-down

How We Rank Schools

#1

Florida International University

  • Miami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

FIU, located in Miami, offers an online bachelor of arts in English with a writing and rhetoric track. The program prepares students for a wide variety of career fields, from traditional publishing to digital content to education administration. All students take core courses designed to provide a solid foundation in English grammar and literature. Participants then choose electives such as scientific writing or advanced business writing to fine-tune their progression.

Note that students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite and lower-level English courses to proceed to upper-division writing courses. FIU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English: Writing and Rhetoric Track
  • School Status: Public
  • Tuition: $229 per credit (in-state); $346 per credit (out-of-state)
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: No minimum required
  • Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT 

67%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

91%

Retention Rate

$18,566

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
64%
Students Enrolled
55,687
Institution Type
Public
#2

University of Central Florida

  • Orlando, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Located in Orlando, UCF offers a fully online bachelor of arts in English with a creative writing focus. In addition to a complete slate of general liberal arts courses, students take foundational courses in English composition, creative writing, and literature. Learners then move on to upper-level classes, choosing from courses like fiction writing, poetry writing, and scriptwriting.

Many graduates of this program go on to careers in journalism, playwriting, copywriting, or education. Those interested in technical writing careers may prefer UCF's technical communication program.

UCF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: BA in English - Creative Writing
  • School Status: Public
  • Tuition: $179 per credit (in-state); $716 per credit (out-of-state)
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: 3.0 minimum preferred
  • Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT for students with a 2.5-2.99 GPA

9%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,368

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

93%

Retention Rate

$19,810

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
41%
Students Enrolled
67,959
Institution Type
Public
#3

Indiana University-East

  • Richmond, IN
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

IU East, located in the city of Richmond, offers an entirely online bachelor of arts in English with a technical and professional writing focus. Designed specifically for students preparing for careers such as technical writer, engineering writer, or documentation specialist, the program provides a strong foundation in digital writing, as well as technical writing and editing.

Students choose from a long list of electives, such as classes in Native American literature or the history of the English language, to round out their knowledge and customize their program according to interests.

IU East is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English, Technical and Professional Writing
  • School Status: Public
  • Tuition: $236 per credit (in-state); $341 per credit (out-of-state)
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: No minimum required
  • Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT optional

85%

Online Enrollment

$ 7,274

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

64%

Retention Rate

$20,634

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
78%
Students Enrolled
3,039
Institution Type
Public
#4

Chaminade University of Honolulu

  • Honolulu, HI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

A private university in Hawaii, Chaminade offers a fully online bachelor of arts in English with a writing concentration. Designed for those interested in creative writing careers, the program provides a strong grounding in both American and British literature. Students learn to analyze and interpret texts within their historical and cultural contexts and effectively communicate ideas through the written word in various applications.

All students must complete a final capstone course. This senior seminar encapsulates everything learned throughout the program. The English program also offers teaching and literature and criticism concentrations.

Chaminade is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English
  • School Status: Private
  • Tuition: $565 per credit
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: No minimum required
  • Standardized Tests: Not required

67%

Online Enrollment

$28,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

71%

Retention Rate

$28,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
93%
Students Enrolled
1,892
Institution Type
Private
#5

Southern New Hampshire University

  • Manchester, NH
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Located in Manchester, SNHU offers an online bachelor of arts in creative writing and English. Students can select the general track for maximum flexibility, or choose one of four concentrations: fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, or poetry. Regardless of their track, students take core writing courses like literary theory and the English language. They also take three courses in their concentration and 36 credits of free electives.

All students participate in four separate writing workshops. The final workshop is a capstone experience in which students complete a polished project in their genre choice.

SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English
  • School Status: Private
  • Tuition: $320 per credit
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: No minimum required
  • Standardized Tests: Not required

97%

Online Enrollment

$15,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

62%

Retention Rate

$15,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
96%
Students Enrolled
164,091
Institution Type
Private
#6

Nicholls State University

  • Thibodaux, LA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Nicholls offers an online bachelor of arts in English with five concentration options, including creative writing and writing and rhetoric. In addition to a broad foundation in general liberal arts, the program provides a strong grounding in English literature, grammar, and composition.

In general, students interested in writing fiction, poetry, or scripts should select the creative writing concentration. The writing and rhetoric concentration focuses on how writing shapes our worldview and how it can help create change. As a result, students interested in copywriting, grant writing, or business communications often concentrate in writing and rhetoric.

Nicholls is a public university that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English
  • School Status: Public
  • Tuition: $302 per credit (for 1-12 credits/semester); $275 per credit for each additional credit thereafter
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: No minimum required
  • Standardized Tests: Not required

58%

Online Enrollment

$4,922

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

75%

Retention Rate

$6,015

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
98%
Students Enrolled
5,883
Institution Type
Public
#7

University of Colorado System Office

  • Denver, CO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

A public research university, CU Denver offers an online bachelor of arts in English writing, rhetoric, and technology. The program teaches students about writing research and theory, as well as a broad introduction to topics like linguistics, digital publication, and magazine writing.

Many students go on to careers in content writing, technical writing, or web content management. A wide variety of electives allows students to focus on their primary areas of interest, such as scientific writing or grant writing.

CU Denver is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology
  • School Status: Public
  • Tuition: $330 per credit (in-state); $444 per credit (out-of-state)
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: No minimum required
  • Standardized Tests: ACT or SAT

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Retention Rate

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Students Enrolled
0
Institution Type
Public
#8

University of Wisconsin-Superior

  • Superior, WI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

A public liberal arts university, UW-Superior offers a hybrid or online bachelor's in writing. This program covers creative writing and professional writing, preparing students for positions like magazine columnist, book reviewer, or social media specialist.

All students take two introductory core writing courses, two genre-specific courses (e.g., nonfiction or poetry), and two rhetoric courses (e.g., English grammar or technical writing). Students further customize their path by picking electives like gender and sexuality in writing, psycholinguistics, and news writing and reporting. The program ends with a capstone project, in which students put together an online writing portfolio.

UW-Superior is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Writing
  • School Status: Public
  • Tuition: $305 per credit
  • Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Degree Completion Program: No
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Format: 100% online or hybrid

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: No minimum required
  • Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT optional

58%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,535

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

66%

Retention Rate

$14,108

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
96%
Students Enrolled
2,710
Institution Type
Public
#9

Central Washington University

  • Ellensburg, WA
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

A public university in Ellensburg, CWU offers a fully online bachelor of arts in professional and creative writing. Students who meet the university's general education requirements can graduate from this degree completion program in just two years.

All students take six foundational courses, which cover topics like rhetoric, grammar, poetry, and writing for publication. Students then chart their path with 27 quarter credits of electives drawn from a mix of creative writing topics, professional writing topics, and online practicum placements. All students also select five courses in literature, language, and film. Students end the program with a capstone colloquium.

CWU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Program Snapshot

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Creative Writing
  • School Status: Public
  • Tuition: $230 per quarter credit
  • Credit Requirements: 74 quarter credits
  • Degree Completion Program: Yes
  • Program Length: 2 years
  • Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: 3.0 suggested (students with a 2.0-2.99 GPA may be admitted pending comprehensive review)
  • Standardized Tests: ACT or SAT recommended for students with a GPA below 3.0

69%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,816

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

67%

Retention Rate

$23,881

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
90%
Students Enrolled
9,257
Institution Type
Public

What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor’s in Writing Program?

Faculty at each school design the curricula for writing programs; therefore, the required coursework varies at each institution. However, the overall objective remains the same — to cultivate a cadre of writers with strong communication skills.

Some degree programs, such as a bachelor’s in creative writing, may focus solely on writing. Alternatively, other degree tracks may provide a blended curriculum that melds a classical education in English and literature with in-demand skills — such as technical writing — needed in today’s job market.

Some students earn a bachelor’s in writing to prepare for graduate school. At the graduate level, they can build on their degree by pursuing another major in the arts and humanities. Alternatively, some students may build on their writing degree by pursuing hands-on experience straight out of college, finding careers in journalism or digital media. Degree-seekers should establish clear career objectives as they examine the college options available to them.

Common Bachelor’s in Writing Degree Courses

What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor’s in Writing Program?

  • check

    High School Diploma or GED Certificate

    Applicants must demonstrate they graduated from high school or earned a GED certificate in order to gain entry into most colleges. Learners will need to provide official school or GED transcripts.

  • check

    SAT or ACT

    These exams are sometimes used to demonstrate an applicant’s readiness for entry into college-level studies. The SAT covers reading, writing/language, and math, while the ACT covers English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Both tests have optional essay sections that students can use to bolster their scores.

  • check

    ACCUPLACER

    The College Board developed the ACCUPLACER exam as an assessment tool for junior colleges. Like the SAT and ACT, this standardized test covers reading, writing, and math. Students can also opt to complete the WritePlacer essay to demonstrate their level of writing proficiency.

  • check

    Minimum GPA

    High school students often need to demonstrate their readiness for college by holding a minimum GPA. Admissions departments generally require that graduates have at least a 2.0-2.5 high school GPA, though some schools may have a higher threshold.

  • check

    Transfer Credits

    While many programs do not require transfer credits, some do. Some schools offer degree completion options that require a significant number of credits or an associate degree. Schools typically want a minimum 2.0-2.5 GPA in transferable credits. Even if schools do not offer a degree completion track leading to a bachelor’s in writing, students can apply credits from junior or other colleges to accelerate degree completion.

What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Writing?

Once students complete a bachelor’s in writing, they may qualify for entry-level positions at publications, media organizations, and public relations organizations. They can also pursue a graduate-level education.

However, a writing degree alone may not suffice in a competitive job market. Degree-seekers should always consider ways to begin building and expanding their resume. Paid or unpaid internships at relevant organizations provide hands-on expertise that employers value. Learners may seek opportunities such as summer internships that do not interfere with their schooling.

Students can also accrue experience by serving on a college newspaper or similar publications. While these positions generally do not pay a salary, they give learners experience and clips for a portfolio.

Graduates with a bachelor’s in writing may want to acquire specialized training through certificate programs in areas such as technical writing. They may alternately desire to advance their education and training by pursuing a writing or non-writing major in graduate school.

Related Careers

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor’s in Writing Programs

Explore More College Resources

Finding and Applying to Colleges

Finding and Applying to Colleges

Parents and students should begin the process of researching and comparing prospective schools as early as possible.

Staff Writers

by Staff Writers

Updated July 23, 2022

Planning Your Online Education

Planning Your Online Education

This landing page acts as an introduction and overview of online college planning resources for students.

Staff Writers

by Staff Writers

Updated May 25, 2023

Your Guide to College Entrance Exams

Your Guide to College Entrance Exams

Entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, are a crucial step in preparing for college. Learn what to expect and how to prepare.

Staff Writers

by Staff Writers

Updated June 27, 2023