2027 Best Value Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for theater arts in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #5. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $14,519. 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 ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Cypress College landed the #8 spot for theater arts value 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, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College landed the #9 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $5,707. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #11 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #12 position for value in theater arts this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,575. Theater Arts graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the theater arts program here. 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 landed the #14 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Snow College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #16 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #17 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $15,314 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,205. Theater Arts graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #19 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College landed the #20 spot for theater arts value this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $12,921. Theater Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Long Beach City College landed the #22 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College came in at #23 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $6,952. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #24 among the best values for theater arts. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Tulsa Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts value ranking:
Other Theater Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theater Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
