2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Ohio

[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Ohio
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
Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among theater arts schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. 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.
Youngstown State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for theater arts. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $23,920. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #6 among the best values for theater arts. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,565. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $19,286. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $21,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #9 for value in theater arts this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,980. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $25,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio Northern University landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $39,600. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Ohio Northern University earn a median of $19,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.
Xavier University placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.