2027 Best Value Musical Theater Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Musical Theater](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/musical-theater/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value musical theater schools.
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2027 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in musical theater, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Musical Theater Schools
Southern Utah University tops our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools in the United States. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $19,284. Musical Theater graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $27,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #3 spot this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,523 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Set against $24,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for musical theater. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $20,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,678 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $15,579. Set against $26,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $17,862 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $20,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,862 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Weber State University earned the #7 position for value in musical theater this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
University Of North Alabama landed the #8 spot for musical theater value this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
California State University Chico placed #9 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $45,591. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #10 for value in musical theater this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $21,000. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $26,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #11 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,538. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #12 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $20,815. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #13 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $18,403. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $24,871. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #15 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $21,500. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $26,045. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Michigan University came in at #16 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $21,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #17 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $23,725 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,725 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #18 spot for musical theater value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #19 for value in musical theater this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $16,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Sam Houston State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $21,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #21 for value in musical theater this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $20,453. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #22 spot for musical theater value this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $24,761. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #23 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,492. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University placed #24 among the best values for musical theater. Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $24,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $28,000. Musical Theater graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $17,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Musical Theater Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for musical theater this year:
Other Musical Theater Degree Levels
Explore the best-value musical theater schools at other degree levels:
View All Musical Theater Rankings >
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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 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.
