2027 Best Value Acting Schools in Ohio

[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
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2027 Best Value Acting Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Acting Schools
Leading the list is Wright State University Main Campus, our #1 best value for acting in Ohio. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $18,666. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Otterbein University one of the best values for acting. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,548. Students borrow a median of $26,822 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $12,546. Set against $26,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for acting. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $19,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the best values for acting. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Acting graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $25,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College came in at #6 for value in acting this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Acting graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $16,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.