[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 317 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
Finding the Best Value Theater Arts School for You
The theater arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Theater Arts Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Theater Arts Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in theater arts in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $25,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for theater arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,622 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,142 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $25,453 early in their careers. Set against $15,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $16,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,500. Theater Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $21,580 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Utah Valley University came in at #7 for value in theater arts this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $23,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
California State University Northridge earned the #9 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,863. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
College Of The Mainland landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #11 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons earned the #12 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #13 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Cuny City College placed #14 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $17,739 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $15,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College earned the #15 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #18 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $10,288. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
California State University Sacramento placed #21 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $16,221. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $23,000. That is a strong return on a $16,221 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pasadena City College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Citrus College came in at #23 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Snow College landed the #24 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #25 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for theater arts this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 317 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 317 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).
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/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.
