2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Montgomery County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,330. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,169. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Point Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,259. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $19,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Muhlenberg College came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,150. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Desales University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Desales University earn a median of $17,377 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #12 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Villanova University placed #13 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,184. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $72,601. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
