2026 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong acting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Wright State University Main Campus the best value for a degree in acting in Ohio. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $18,666. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, 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 $24,565. 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 #3 place for acting. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $22,750. Acting graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Otterbein University earned it the #4 place for acting. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,822 in student loans. Acting graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $12,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,822 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. Acting graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $25,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,980 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Baldwin Wallace College earned the #6 position for value in acting this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $16,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
