2027 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for musical theater students.
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2027 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in musical theater, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Musical Theater Schools
University Of Georgia earned the #1 spot for value among musical theater schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,762. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,291. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern State University Of Louisiana one of the best values for musical theater. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $22,250. Musical Theater graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $16,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $26,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,000. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $20,937. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of Charleston landed the #6 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Students borrow a median of $26,943 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc came in at #7 for value in musical theater this year. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $25,581. Musical Theater graduates of Anderson University Sc earn a median of $21,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Loyola University New Orleans ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,440. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. Set against $26,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University New Orleans admits about 93% of applicants.
Lipscomb University placed #9 among the best values for musical theater. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Southern College landed the #10 spot for musical theater value this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $22,336. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Liberty University came in at #11 for value in musical theater this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,414. Musical Theater graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Shenandoah University placed #12 among the best values for musical theater. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,000. Musical Theater graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $17,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University placed #13 among the best values for musical theater. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $21,039. Musical Theater graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tampa landed the #14 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,408. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $17,196. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tampa admits about 40% of applicants.
Elon University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Elon University earn a median of $24,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
