[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 358 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.
Finding the Best Value Drama & Theater Arts School for You
The drama & theater arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,142 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $25,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,142 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $16,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $21,580. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $23,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College placed #8 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for drama & theater arts. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $17,863 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $17,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
College Of The Mainland earned the #10 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,928. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #11 for value in drama & theater arts this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #12 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Austin Community College District landed the #13 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $17,739. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $15,098 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College earned the #15 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #17 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #18 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #19 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,052. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College earned the #21 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $9,191. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
California State University Sacramento earned the #24 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,221 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,000. Set against $16,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Snow College placed #25 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for drama & theater arts this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 358 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 358 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).
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.
