2026 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Playwriting & Screenwriting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/playwriting-and-screenwriting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for playwriting & screenwriting students.
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2026 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in playwriting & screenwriting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in playwriting & screenwriting in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $25,059. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in playwriting & screenwriting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $18,182. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $17,863. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $17,524. That is a strong return on a $17,863 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $18,026. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $18,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #6 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $22,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $21,556 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $23,905 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $17,964. Set against $23,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Sacred Heart came in at #9 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from University Of Sacred Heart generally make around $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University came in at #10 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $27,176. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $15,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Iowa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $26,622 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $22,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #14 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $25,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,980 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University came in at #15 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $27,000. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $23,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $19,245. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Boston University came in at #17 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. That is a strong return on a $26,958 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #18 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Stephens College earned the #19 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,300. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Stephens College earn a median of $16,476 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephens College admits about 77% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #20 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. That is a strong return on a $26,977 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #21 among the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $26,348. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $22,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $32,967. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Southern California placed #23 among the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $21,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University earned the #24 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College landed the #25 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Set in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,262. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $26,445. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. Set against $26,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in playwriting & screenwriting:
Other Playwriting & Screenwriting Degree Levels
Explore the best-value playwriting & screenwriting schools at other degree levels:
View All Playwriting & Screenwriting Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
