[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 263 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $20,645. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for theater arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $15,142. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $16,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $16,645. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for theater arts. 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 $18,182 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Utah Valley University placed #6 among the best values for theater arts. 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. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. 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%.
Cuny City College placed #8 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $17,739 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,221 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,000. Set against $16,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #10 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #11 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $16,001. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $16,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Central Florida placed #12 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,585 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,708. That is a strong return on a $21,585 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,613 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $26,457 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,613 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos landed the #14 spot for theater arts value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #15 for value in theater arts this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,456 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $18,082. Set against $12,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,000. Theater Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $18,431 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Southern Utah University placed #17 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $19,284 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $27,335. Set against $19,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #18 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #20 for value in theater arts this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $19,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #21 among the best values for theater arts. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $19,929. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of West Florida placed #22 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $23,852. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Rhode Island College earned the #23 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,523. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $24,526. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #24 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #25 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $22,429. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
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 · 263 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 263 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
