2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Virginia
[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 33 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 Virginia
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 George Mason University, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 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 George Mason University generally make around $22,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $22,447 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Regent University one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $29,451. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $43,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
James Madison University earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $24,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,637. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $36,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #8 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Shenandoah University landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $17,818 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
