2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $21,238 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $14,938. Set against $21,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,798. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,678. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $15,579. Set against $26,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #5. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,373. Theater Arts graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $24,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,847. Theater Arts graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $24,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in theater arts this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,349. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for theater arts. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $25,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $21,398 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,984 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $23,748 early in their careers. Set against $24,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $20,815 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #14 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $20,903. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #15 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #16 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $20,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #17 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,920 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,492. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #20 for value in theater arts this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $49,077. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Illinois State University placed #21 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $24,246 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $28,958. That is a strong return on a $24,246 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Michigan State University landed the #22 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,250. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,328. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #23 for value in theater arts this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $28,000. Theater Arts graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $17,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #24 for value in theater arts this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Roosevelt University landed the #25 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Theater Arts graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
