Best institutions to study Playwriting and Screenwriting
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for communicating dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the composition of creative written works for the theatre, film, and/or television.
52 U.S. institutions graduated 889 Playwriting and Screenwriting students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0504, a specialization of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05), and leads most directly to the Writers and Authors occupation (BLS SOC 27-3043).
About Playwriting and Screenwriting programs
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for communicating dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the composition of creative written works for the theatre, film, and/or television. Includes instruction in creative writing craft, scene writing, script development, stage and/or camera instructions, line and moment analysis, script reading, script editing, and the creation of full productions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Playwriting and Screenwriting program, part of the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field, focuses on the principles and techniques needed to communicate dramatic ideas through creative writing. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about storytelling in theatre, film, and television, and who aspire to craft compelling narratives that engage audiences.
Students in this program will develop essential skills in writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Coursework includes creative writing craft, scene writing, script development, and stage or camera instructions, equipping students with the knowledge to create full productions and effectively analyze scripts.
Credentials awarded
What Playwriting and Screenwriting graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree487 graduates / yr · 21 institutions55%
- Master's degree332 graduates / yr · 33 institutions37%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years41 graduates / yr · 4 institutions4.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year17 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.9%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Playwriting and Screenwriting completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 588 |
| 2013 | 442 |
| 2014 | 489 |
| 2015 | 514 |
| 2016 | 564 |
| 2017 | 657 |
| 2018 | 716 |
| 2019 | 678 |
| 2020 | 728 |
| 2021 | 672 |
| 2022 | 791 |
| 2023 | 823 |
| 2024 | 822 |
| 2025 | 889 |
Top 50 institutions for Playwriting and Screenwriting, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 107 | 88% | $29,023 | $20,916 |
| 2 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 96 | 79% | $36,488 | $21,869 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Film School Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 95 | 41% | $32,792 | — |
| 4 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 70 | 82% | $42,965 | $24,644 |
| 5 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 54 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,473 |
| 6 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 53 | 69% | $44,902 | $20,532 |
| 7 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NYPublicBachelor's | 35 | 63% | — | $18,090 |
| 8 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 29 | 68% | $28,141 | $22,021 |
| 9 | New York Film Academy Burbank, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor'sMaster's | 29 | 68% | $46,505 | $15,355 |
| 10 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 77% | $40,982 | $19,560 |
| 11 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 19 | 58% | — | $22,369 |
| 12 | Stephens College Columbia, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 43% | $23,198 | $16,476 |
| 13 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 75% | — | $25,070 |
| 14 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 75% | — | $22,225 |
| 15 | Maharishi International University Fairfield, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 50% | $19,927 | — |
| 16 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicMaster's | 14 | 57% | — | $17,524 |
| 17 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 69% | $34,539 | $15,474 |
| 18 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 17% | — | — |
| 19 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 20 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 11 | 34% | $40,294 | $20,798 |
| 21 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 22 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 59% | $23,704 | $23,147 |
| 23 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 24 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 83% | $41,986 | — |
| 25 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster's | 8 | 86% | — | $18,431 |
| 26 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 8 | 76% | — | — |
| 27 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublicBachelor's | 7 | 44% | — | — |
| 28 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 49% | $34,258 | $19,562 |
| 29 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicMaster's | 6 | 70% | — | $18,182 |
| 30 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 72% | $40,932 | $17,382 |
| 31 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 52% | — | $21,556 |
| 32 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 94% | $23,803 | $32,967 |
| 33 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 71% | $29,246 | — |
| 34 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 95% | $14,799 | $19,245 |
| 35 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 89% | $21,956 | $21,508 |
| 36 | The Juilliard School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 93% | $29,763 | — |
| 37 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 62% | $20,686 | — |
| 38 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicMaster's | 3 | 86% | — | $18,026 |
| 39 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 40 | Asbury University Wilmore, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 65% | $19,816 | — |
| 41 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster's | 3 | 57% | — | $25,059 |
| 42 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 60% | $29,994 | $16,659 |
| 43 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 31% | — | — |
| 44 | Houston Christian University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 49% | $21,247 | — |
| 45 | Hollins University Roanoke, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 65% | $21,981 | — |
| 46 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 34% | — | — |
| 47 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 32% | — | — |
| 48 | New England College Henniker, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 35% | $30,086 | — |
| 49 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 50 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field (CIP 50.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 21 states
Where Playwriting and Screenwriting graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13 | 402 | Loyola Marymount University96 / yr |
| New York | 9 | 187 | New York University107 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 59 | Savannah College of Art and Design53 / yr |
| Missouri | 2 | 37 | Missouri State University - Springfield19 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 33 | DePaul University29 / yr |
| Iowa | 2 | 32 | University of Iowa16 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 27 | Drexel University11 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 27 | Emerson College23 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 18 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus17 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 14 | Scottsdale Community College12 / yr |
| Virginia | 2 | 14 | Regent University11 / yr |
| Tennessee | 2 | 8 | Belmont University5 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 8 | Florida State University8 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 7 | Metropolitan State University7 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 3 | Yale University3 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 3 | Asbury University3 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 3 | Houston Christian University3 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 2 | Red Rocks Community College2 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 2 | New England College2 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 2 | Brown University2 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 1 | Metropolitan Community College Area1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3043, Writers and Authors, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Writers and Authors or Art, Drama, and Music Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for writers is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 3.6% and approximately 13,400 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $72,270, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0504
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Writers and Authorsprimary SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Playwriting and Screenwriting programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
- Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
- Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
- Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
Tools and technology used
Other Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05).
- Drama and Dramatics/CIP 50.0501
Theatre Arts 9,838 graduates / yr813 institutions - ActingCIP 50.05061,706 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Technical Theatre/CIP 50.0502
Theatre Design and Technology 1,232 graduates / yr158 institutions - Musical TheatreCIP 50.05091,212 graduates / yr123 institutions
- Dramatic/CIP 50.0599
Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 404 graduates / yr45 institutions - Directing and Theatrical ProductionCIP 50.0507197 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Theatre and DanceCIP 50.051297 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Theatre LiteratureCIP 50.0505partial data36 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Comedy Writing and PerformanceCIP 50.0511limited data35 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Costume DesignCIP 50.051032 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards in Playwriting and Screenwriting.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, and active listening, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Writer, Author, or Teacher in the arts.
What is the job outlook for writers?+
The job outlook for writers is expected to grow by 3.6% with about 13,400 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Playwriting and Screenwriting?+
Playwriting and Screenwriting is CIP 50.0504 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for communicating dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the composition of creative written works for the theatre, film, and/or television. Includes instruction in creative writing craft, scene writing, script development, stage and/or camera instructions, line and moment analysis, script reading, script editing, and the creation of full productions.
How many institutions offer Playwriting and Screenwriting programs?+
52 U.S. institutions reported Playwriting and Screenwriting graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 21 states, awarding 889 credentials in the year. That is 5.7% of all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.
How much do Playwriting and Screenwriting graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Writers and Authors occupation, which Playwriting and Screenwriting most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,910 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field report median earnings of $20,532 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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