2026 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value playwriting & screenwriting schools.
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2026 Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in playwriting & screenwriting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri State University Springfield the best value for a degree in playwriting & screenwriting in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. 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%.
Maharishi University Of Management is a great value for students pursuing a degree in playwriting & screenwriting, landing the #2 spot this year. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $16,530. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $32,294. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #3 place for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates carry a median of $26,622 in student loans. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $22,225 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stephens College earned it the #4 place for playwriting & screenwriting. Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $28,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the playwriting & screenwriting program here. Early-career playwriting & screenwriting graduates make about $16,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephens College admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
