2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 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 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 Cuny Hunter College this year. 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. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. 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.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $17,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,858. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,314. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,681. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $17,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,681 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #7 position for value in theater arts this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,022 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $18,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #9 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,812 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $17,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,812 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $20,453. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Niagara University placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Towson University earn a median of $19,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,453. Theater Arts graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $21,800 early in their careers. Set against $23,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $18,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for theater arts. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $20,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #17 position for value in theater arts this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,637. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $25,810. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,500. Theater Arts graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $18,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Manhattanville College came in at #19 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,604. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,372. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $46,551. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Albright College placed #20 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Students borrow a median of $28,958 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $38,075. That is a strong return on a $28,958 median debt. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #21 for value in theater arts this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $18,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #23 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $16,666. That is a strong return on a $25,139 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,770. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Drew University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $13,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
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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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
