2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Iowa
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Northern Iowa the best value for a degree in drama & theater arts in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $22,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Maharishi University Of Management one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,530 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $32,294. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,622. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $22,225. Set against $26,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Drake University, which ranked #4. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $19,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.
