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2027 Best Value Acting Schools in the The Plains States Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$23,622 Avg Student Debt
$53,619 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Acting Badge [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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Acting Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Acting Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Des Moines Area Community College the best value for a degree in acting in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $14,956. Acting graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for acting. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $24,875. Acting graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $22,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $21,627. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nebraska Wesleyan University earned it the #4 place for acting. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,572. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Acting graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $23,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

5
Stephens College crest
Stephens College
Columbia, MO

Stephens College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $16,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

6
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University landed the #6 spot for acting value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $13,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University placed #7 among the best values for acting. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Acting graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Acting graduates of Drake University earn a median of $19,613 early in their careers. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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