2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 51 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drama & theater arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drama & theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $16,510. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Canyons one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $9,776. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #7 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Austin Community College District placed #8 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #9 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #12 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #13 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College landed the #15 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Snow College placed #16 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. 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. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #18 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $15,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College came in at #19 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Diablo Valley College landed the #20 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College came in at #21 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,978. 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.
Monroe Community College placed #22 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #23 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $17,619. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Long Beach City College placed #25 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 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:
Other Drama & Theater Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Drama & Theater Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
