2026 Best Playwriting & Screenwriting Master’s Degree Schools

1

New York University
New York, NY

Leading the list is New York University, our #1 school for 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 51 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $44,742 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,762 in student loans. Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for New York University

2

Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in playwriting & screenwriting, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Emerson College graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 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 $39,309 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full playwriting & screenwriting program report for Emerson College

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in playwriting & screenwriting, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $21,764 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for University Of Southern California

4

Chapman University
Orange, CA

A rank of #4 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for playwriting & screenwriting. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $24,644 in their early career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at Chapman University

5

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in playwriting & screenwriting, landing the #5 spot this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 20 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $31,564 in their early career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full playwriting & screenwriting program report for Loyola Marymount University

6

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #6 for playwriting & screenwriting this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 10 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Playwriting & Screenwriting graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $25,163 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from Depaul University

7

Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA

Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #7 spot for playwriting & screenwriting this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 playwriting & screenwriting students who graduated with this degree at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Graduates of the playwriting & screenwriting program make about $26,106 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for Savannah College Of Art And Design

8

New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy came in at #8 for playwriting & screenwriting this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 15 playwriting & screenwriting degrees were awarded at New York Film Academy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, playwriting & screenwriting degree recipients from New York Film Academy generally make around $14,900. Typical student debt for the program is $17,167. More information about a degree in playwriting & screenwriting from New York Film Academy

9

Maharishi University Of Management
Fairfield, IA

Maharishi University Of Management ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Maharishi University Of Management graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 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. Get the full playwriting & screenwriting details for Maharishi University Of Management

10

Stephens College
Columbia, MO

Stephens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best playwriting & screenwriting schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stephens College awarded about 13 playwriting & screenwriting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their playwriting & screenwriting degree from Stephens College earn around $16,476 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the playwriting & screenwriting program at Stephens College