Playwriting and Screenwriting: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program explore the art and craft of shaping compelling narratives for live performance and visual media. Focused on the dynamic interplay between story, character, and audience, the curriculum develops advanced skills in storytelling across stage and screen. Through rigorous training and hands-on creation, learners master the technical and expressive tools needed to produce professional-quality scripts.
- Creative writing craft: Foundations of narrative structure, voice, and stylistic development tailored to dramatic form.
- Scene writing: Techniques for constructing impactful, character-driven scenes that advance plot and emotional depth.
- Script development: Processes for refining initial concepts through multiple drafts, feedback, and collaborative revision.
- Stage and camera instructions: Understanding how to write for performance space, blocking, and cinematic language, including shot composition and pacing.
- Line and moment analysis: Close reading of dialogue and pivotal scenes to uncover subtext, rhythm, and dramatic intention.
- Script reading: Critical evaluation of scripts for structure, character consistency, and theatrical or cinematic potential.
- Script editing: Strategic revision techniques to strengthen clarity, tension, and narrative coherence.
- Full production creation: Integrating writing with production elements to realize scripts from concept to performance or screening.
Playwriting and Screenwriting Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Playwriting and Screenwriting Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Playwriting and Screenwriting degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Writers and Authors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 145,690 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Writers and Authors 27-3043 | $72,270 | $41,080 - $133,680 | 47,800 | $34.75 |
Playwriting and Screenwriting Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,110 in Nevada to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 153% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 145,690 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Playwriting and Screenwriting by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 52 institutions offering Playwriting and Screenwriting programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Playwriting and Screenwriting is found at New York University (NYU) (109 graduates), Loyola Marymount University (LMU) (92 graduates), Chapman University (79 graduates), Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) (78 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (61 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 863 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
109 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
92 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
79 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) |
Bachelor's
|
78 | Hollywood, California | Private | lafilm.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
61 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| New York Film Academy (NYFA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43 | Burbank, California | Private | nyfa.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Purchase, New York | Public | purchase.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
29 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Maharishi International University (MIU) |
Master's
|
18 | Fairfield, Iowa | Private | miu.edu |
| Emerson College |
Master's
|
18 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
15 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Point Park University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | pointpark.edu |
| Stephens College |
Master's
|
13 | Columbia, Missouri | Private | stephens.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Master's
|
9 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Master's
|
9 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
|
9 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Master's
|
7 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
7 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | New York, New York | Private | mmm.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
|
6 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Regent University |
Master's
|
6 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Biola University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
|
5 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
|
4 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| The Juilliard School |
Post-Master's
|
4 | New York, New York | Private | juilliard.edu |
| Yavapai College |
Other Award
|
3 | Prescott, Arizona | Public | yc.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
3 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Master's
|
3 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Judson University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
| Metropolitan State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | metrostate.edu |
| American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | amda.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
|
2 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Pellissippi State Community College (PSTCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | pstcc.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
|
1 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Master's
|
1 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Asbury University |
Master's
|
1 | Wilmore, Kentucky | Private | asbury.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| Hollins University |
Master's
|
1 | Roanoke, Virginia | Private | hollins.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Playwriting and Screenwriting programs
How much can I earn with a Playwriting and Screenwriting degree?
Salaries for Playwriting and Screenwriting graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Writers and Authors earn around $72,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $51,110 in Nevada. Approximately 145,690 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Playwriting and Screenwriting programs?
Currently 52 accredited institutions offer Playwriting and Screenwriting degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New York University (NYU) (109 graduates), Loyola Marymount University (LMU) (92 graduates), and Chapman University (79 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Playwriting and Screenwriting growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 305 in 2010 to 863 in 2023-24. This represents a 183% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Playwriting and Screenwriting degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Writers and Authors, . Related occupations employ approximately 145,690 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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