2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in North Carolina
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 University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts the best value for a degree in drama & theater arts in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $24,420. That is a strong return on a $24,592 median debt. The acceptance rate is 30%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,613. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,221. Set against $15,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,914 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,154 early in their careers. Set against $25,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #4 place for drama & theater arts. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,824. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $18,052 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,755. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #7 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $21,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #8 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $20,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Elon University earned the #9 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $24,345. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
