2027 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools in New York
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for playwriting & screenwriting students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in playwriting & screenwriting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for playwriting & screenwriting in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $25,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for playwriting & screenwriting graduates is $26,000. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $18,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Pace University New York one of the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $17,946 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in playwriting & screenwriting will find it at Hofstra University, which ranked #4. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $15,474 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Marymount Manhattan College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools. Located in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,870 in tuition and fees. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $19,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marymount Manhattan College admits about 83% of applicants.
New York University landed the #6 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from New York University generally make around $32,829. Set against $21,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
American Musical And Dramatic Academy landed the #7 spot for playwriting & screenwriting value this year. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,928 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $16,900. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School earned the #8 position for value in playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,950. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $14,160. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The New School placed #9 among the best values for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
More Playwriting & Screenwriting Rankings
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
