Playwriting & Screenwriting degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for playwriting & screenwriting students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Playwriting & Screenwriting School
The school you choose for playwriting & screenwriting can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Playwriting & Screenwriting School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Playwriting & Screenwriting Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Playwriting & Screenwriting in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the playwriting & screenwriting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked New York University the best school in the country for a degree in playwriting & screenwriting. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 107 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of New York University earn a median of $32,829 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,762.
See the full playwriting & screenwriting program report for New York University
Students looking for a strong playwriting & screenwriting program will find one at Chapman University, which ranked #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their playwriting & screenwriting degree from Chapman University earn around $24,644 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for Chapman University
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for playwriting & screenwriting. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 54 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their playwriting & screenwriting degree from University Of Southern California earn around $21,619 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from University Of Southern California
A rank of #4 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the top schools for playwriting & screenwriting. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 17 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $25,070 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete this degree.
See the full playwriting & screenwriting program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Emerson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in playwriting & screenwriting, landing the #5 spot this year. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 23 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Emerson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $29,435 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for Emerson College
Loyola Marymount University came in at #6 for playwriting & screenwriting this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $26,717 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at Loyola Marymount University
Drexel University earned the #7 position for playwriting & screenwriting this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their playwriting & screenwriting degree from Drexel University earn around $67,556 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from Drexel University
California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 14 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $17,524 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,863 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from California State University Northridge
Depaul University earned the #9 position for playwriting & screenwriting this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $23,592 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,348.
Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for Depaul University
University Of Iowa came in at #10 for playwriting & screenwriting this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 16 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $22,225 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,622 in student loans.
Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for University Of Iowa
Scottsdale Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 12 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Scottsdale Community College graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans.
Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at Scottsdale Community College
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #12 spot for playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 19 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $22,369. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from Missouri State University Springfield
Biola University earned the #13 position for playwriting & screenwriting this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 12 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Biola University in the most recent year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $45,003 in their early career. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans.
Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at Biola University
Hofstra University placed #14 among the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Hofstra University awarded about 14 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $15,474. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from Hofstra University
Suny At Purchase College earned the #15 position for playwriting & screenwriting this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Purchase. Suny At Purchase College graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $18,090 in their early career. Suny At Purchase College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from Suny At Purchase College
Point Park University earned the #16 position for playwriting & screenwriting this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 11 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Point Park University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Point Park University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at Point Park University
Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #17 for playwriting & screenwriting this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates 69% of students within six years. Savannah College Of Art And Design awarded about 53 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their playwriting & screenwriting degree from Savannah College Of Art And Design earn around $23,319 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full playwriting & screenwriting program report for Savannah College Of Art And Design
New York Film Academy came in at #18 for playwriting & screenwriting this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Burbank. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 29 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at New York Film Academy in the most recent year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of New York Film Academy earn a median of $13,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,167 to complete this degree.
Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at New York Film Academy
Regent University landed the #19 spot for playwriting & screenwriting this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. About 58% of students finish within six years. Regent University awarded about 11 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Regent University earn a median of $43,319 early in their careers. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans.
See the full playwriting & screenwriting program report for Regent University
Academy Of Art University placed #20 among the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. About 34% of students finish within six years. About 11 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Academy Of Art University in the most recent year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $28,717 early in their careers. Academy Of Art University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at Academy Of Art University
Maharishi University Of Management landed the #21 spot for playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Maharishi University Of Management graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Maharishi University Of Management in the most recent data year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $32,294 in their early career.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from Maharishi University Of Management
Stephens College placed #22 among the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. Stephens College graduates 20% of students within six years. Stephens College awarded about 18 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $16,476. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from Stephens College
Los Angeles Film School placed #23 among the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Hollywood. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 95 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Film School in the most recent year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $20,708 in their early career. Los Angeles Film School graduates carry a median of $33,310 in student loans.
Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for Los Angeles Film School
Playwriting & Screenwriting Related Rankings by Major
Playwriting & Screenwriting is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.
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).
