by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you keep a journal, scribble down stories or help out your classmates by editing their papers? If so, a Writing Studies major may be for you. You will learn how to write for different audiences and for different purposes. In any writing concentration, you will read and analyze poetry and fiction. You will learn different approaches and perfect your writing style while completing numerous assignments.
Some of the classes you will encounter will include writing theory and linguistics, creative writing, poetry, technical writing, format and layout and more.
You can pursue a general writing major or choose a concentration in Creative Writing, Technical and Scientific Writing or Rhetoric and Composition.
Writing Studies was the 81st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 12,529 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 4.0% reduction in writing degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 13,036.
Our 2023 Best Writing Studies Schools ranking analyzes 277 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for writing studies students. Explore this or one of our many other custom writing rankings further below.
Creativity and an open mind will help you analyze and critique all different styles, genres, and themes of literature. Part of your education will include participating in poetry and prose readings. You may be required to read aloud your own writing, so you may want to work on your public speaking skills.
Working independently will be a large part of this major. You should be able to self motivate and complete your work by the appropriate deadlines. Learn to accept constructive criticism and use it to improve your writing style.
Try to get as much real-life experience with writing as possible. One suggestion is to join the school newspaper, volunteer as a tutor or work in the school writing center. Obtain an internship in a publishing house, newspaper or Media Company to give you an edge over other students. Start building a portfolio of work during your undergraduate years.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most writing degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic writing studies program qualifications, to serve in some writing careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of writing degrees. You can get anything from a in writing studies to the highest writing degree, a . Depending on the writing studies degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to writing, with approximately 46.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to writing tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 42.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 16.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.5% |
| Some College Courses | 7.7% |
Most workers in writing have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in writing studies have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the writing career you are seeking.
You can work in various fields with a writing degree. Many students work toward becoming a published author or poet, but it may take years to become published. Strong writers are also able to find work in editing, publishing, journalism, digital media, and advertising. There is a high demand for technical writers in certain fields. Professional or Tech Writers take difficult to understand material and concepts and rewrite them so the average person is able to understand them. Writing majors also become teachers, copywriters, freelance writers or work in business.
Want a job when you graduate with your writing degree? Writing Studies careers are expected to grow 7.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to writing studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
| Writers and Authors | 141,200 | 7.6% |
| Editors | 125,600 | -1.4% |
| English Language and Literature Professors | 92,900 | 9.8% |
| Technical Writers | 58,100 | 10.9% |
Recently graduated writing studies students earned an average of $32,108 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $12,162 to as high as $80,433. As you might expect, salaries for writing graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for writing studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers writing grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Professors | $78,150 |
| Professors | $76,990 |
| Technical Writers | $75,500 |
| Writers and Authors | $73,090 |
| Editors | $69,480 |
With over 1,431 different writing degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased writing school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Writing Studies that might interest you.
BA English in Professional Writing
Expand your professional skillset with this specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Writing Studies is one of 3 different types of English Language & Literature programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 6,817 |
| Professional, Technical, Business, & Scientific Writing | 2,441 |
| Rhetoric & Composition | 1,871 |
| General Writing | 856 |
| Other Rhetoric & Composition/Writing Studies | 544 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General English Literature | 40,481 |
| English Literature (Other) | 942 |
| Literature | 683 |
