2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Leading the list is Snow College, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for drama & theater arts. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $23,896. Set against $16,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,587. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #5 place for drama & theater arts. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,284. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $27,335. Set against $19,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #6 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,176. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming placed #7 among the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $26,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Utah placed #8 among the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,316. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $20,701. Set against $20,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #9 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,601. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $23,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,601 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Idaho placed #10 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,287. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #11 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $22,904. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $21,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #12 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,281 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $28,901. That is a strong return on a $28,281 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Idaho State University landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $51,446. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt.
The University Of Montana ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,997. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. That is a strong return on a $27,997 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #16 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $42,124 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #17 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $22,843. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $28,172 early in their careers. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University landed the #18 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,373. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $32,142 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
