[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 290 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drama & theater arts schools.
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, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. 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 $20,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,142. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,318. That is a strong return on a $15,142 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #5 place for drama & theater arts. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $18,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $23,896. That is a strong return on a $16,510 median debt.
California State University Northridge earned the #7 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,863 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $17,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,863 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny City College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. 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. Set against $17,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #9 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,221 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $23,000 early in their careers. Set against $16,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #11 among the best values for drama & theater arts. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $16,001. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $16,706 early in their careers. Set against $16,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #12 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $14,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #13 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,585 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,708 early in their careers. Set against $21,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,456 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,613 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $26,457. Set against $15,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University placed #18 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,284. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $27,335. That is a strong return on a $19,284 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #19 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $18,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,849. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $24,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #21 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,175. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $19,929 early in their careers. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #22 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $19,231. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,677. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $23,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rhode Island College came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,523. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $24,526. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University earned the #25 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $39,773. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,352. That is a strong return on a $39,773 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in drama & theater arts:
This list is compiled 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 · 290 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 290 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
