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2027 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in Illinois

5 Colleges in the United States
$24,795 Avg Student Debt
$60,481 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Musical Theater Badge [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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong musical theater education at a price that pays off.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for musical theater students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in musical theater, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Musical Theater Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Roosevelt University the best value for a degree in musical theater in Illinois. 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. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $21,001. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

2

Millikin University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,000. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $24,013. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in musical theater will find it at Columbia College Chicago, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $17,929. Set against $26,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.

4

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $19,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in musical theater will find it at Northwestern University, which ranked #5. 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. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

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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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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