2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Texas
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Texas
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
College Of The Mainland tops our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,928. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,001 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Houston Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,223. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $14,869. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,425. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $29,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $61,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #10 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #11 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $26,474. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. 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 Texas generally make around $28,236. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #13 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $21,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #14 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $22,658. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $25,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #15 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $26,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $28,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
West Texas A And M University placed #17 among the best values for drama & theater arts. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $22,328. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,036. Set against $22,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Saint Edwards University placed #19 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $15,925. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Abilene Christian University placed #20 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $56,463. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,521. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts generally make around $22,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Texas Christian University earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $21,221. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $23,831 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,130 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $20,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,130 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
