2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 163 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Millikin University the best value for a degree in drama & theater arts in the Great Lakes Region. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $24,013 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,639. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $14,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,398. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #7 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,119. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #9 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $26,010 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $16,892. Set against $26,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #10 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $20,815. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University placed #12 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,579. Set against $26,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #13 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $20,903. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,847. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $24,569 early in their careers. Set against $24,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #15 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $49,223. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #16 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,984 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,748. That is a strong return on a $24,984 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,666. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #19 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $20,455 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Siena Heights University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $17,962. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $23,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,250. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,492 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $27,492 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #25 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $28,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 163 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
