2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Texas
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 76 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Texas
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 The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in drama & theater arts in Texas. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $16,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
University Of Houston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $61,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Tyler Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #5. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $28,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Midwestern State University landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #9 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Sam Houston State University landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $21,858. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $22,658 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $25,050. Set against $22,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #12 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $26,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #13 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $26,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #14 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,346 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University came in at #15 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $28,933. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $27,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,328 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Edwards University came in at #19 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,384 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,925. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts placed #21 among the best values for drama & theater arts. 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. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $22,845. That is a strong return on a $17,316 median debt. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts admits about 68% of applicants.
Texas Christian University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $21,221. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University earned the #23 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $23,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,130 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,267. That is a strong return on a $24,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
