2027 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Playwriting & Screenwriting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/playwriting-and-screenwriting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for playwriting & screenwriting students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
For return on investment in playwriting & screenwriting, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $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. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $17,500. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $18,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $17,863 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $17,524. Set against $17,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for playwriting & screenwriting. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $18,431. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $18,026 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University came in at #6 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. 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. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Salem State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #8 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $22,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $23,905 in student loans. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Set against $23,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Sacred Heart landed the #10 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santurce. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $15,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Iowa came in at #13 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $26,622. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $22,225. Set against $26,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Yale University placed #14 among the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $21,508. Set against $26,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. 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.
Northwestern University landed the #17 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $19,245. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Point Park University came in at #18 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $23,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Stephens College landed the #19 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,300. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $16,476. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,160 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #21 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $26,348. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $22,021. That is a strong return on a $26,348 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $16,659. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University came in at #23 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $45,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #24 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. 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. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Bennington College earned the #25 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,262. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $26,445. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $29,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
