[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1121 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.
Finding the Best Value Drama & Theater Arts School for You
The right drama & theater arts school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Drama & Theater Arts 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.
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.
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.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,091. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $25,059 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. 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. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Berea College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #5 place for drama & theater arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,142 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,645. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $11,604. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #11 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #12 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $5,707. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #13 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. 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. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #16 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,246. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College earned the #18 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $9,191. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #19 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $9,205. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Nassau Community College landed the #20 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #21 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,739 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $15,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #23 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 303 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
