2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Georgia

[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 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 Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Leading the list is Young Harris College, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in Georgia. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. Students from in state pay about $32,305 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #2 place for drama & theater arts. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $20,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,802. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $18,769. Set against $25,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $13,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,556. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $16,586. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Brenau University came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $59,258. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants.
Oglethorpe University came in at #9 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,590. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,800. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Oglethorpe University earn a median of $34,113 early in their careers. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oglethorpe University admits about 88% of applicants.
Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $41,630. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $23,319. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.