2027 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Master’s Degree Schools
[Playwriting & Screenwriting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/playwriting-and-screenwriting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools.
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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
Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in playwriting & screenwriting in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $17,863. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $17,524. Set against $17,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in playwriting & screenwriting will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #2. 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. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $21,000. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $32,286. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $14,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Maharishi University Of Management earned it the #4 place for playwriting & screenwriting. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $32,294. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Regent University one of the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $43,319. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Yale University landed the #6 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $14,357. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Boston University landed the #7 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,958 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $21,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Brown University placed #8 among the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Stephens College came in at #9 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. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $27,000. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Stephens College earn a median of $16,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University came in at #10 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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 $25,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University placed #11 among the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $25,163. Set against $26,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York landed the #12 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $19,232. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #13 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $21,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $12,000. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $21,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
New York University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $21,762 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from New York University generally make around $44,742. That is a strong return on a $21,762 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
New York Film Academy earned the #16 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,122. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $17,167. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $14,900. That is a strong return on a $17,167 median debt.
Academy Of Art University placed #17 among the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $36,635. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
The Juilliard School landed the #18 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $57,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,160 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
California Institute Of The Arts earned the #19 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,996. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $27,000. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $22,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Institute Of The Arts admits about 32% of applicants.
Chapman University earned the #20 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $24,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #21 for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $31,564. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Emerson College earned the #22 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,056 in tuition and fees. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $39,309. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Emerson College admits about 51% of applicants.
Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #23 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $41,630. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $26,106. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
