2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools
[Directing & Theatrical Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/directing-and-theatrical-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong directing & theatrical production education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value directing & theatrical production schools.
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Finding the Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production School for You
The right directing & theatrical production school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in directing & theatrical production, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools
For return on investment in directing & theatrical production, no school beat University Of Washington Seattle Campus this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $26,555. That is a strong return on a $15,638 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $14,650. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $16,192 early in their careers. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $22,904. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $21,047 early in their careers. Set against $22,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in directing & theatrical production, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Eastern Michigan University, which ranked #5. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $27,492. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Southern Oregon University landed the #6 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, while out-of-state students pay about $31,887. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.
Bossier Parish Community College came in at #7 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,268. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $20,593. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Bossier Parish Community College generally make around $43,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Evansville landed the #8 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $23,727 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $23,407. That is a strong return on a $23,727 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Wesleyan University placed #9 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $52,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #10 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Roosevelt University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $21,001 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton placed #12 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $18,920 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $19,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Yale University landed the #14 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #15 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $26,622. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $22,225. Set against $26,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Millikin University landed the #16 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $58,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Boston University earned the #17 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $26,958. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Boston University earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Set against $26,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University earned the #18 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $23,529. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $25,070. Set against $25,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Rider University landed the #20 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $48,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Brown University earned the #21 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University landed the #22 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,570. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #23 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $26,977. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University earned the #24 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $22,525. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $13,182. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s directing & theatrical production value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
