2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in New York
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in New York
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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $11,091. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $25,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $29,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for theater arts. 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. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $15,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,739 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Laguardia Community College earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $15,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Monroe Community College one of the best values for theater arts. 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, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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 earned the #7 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,208. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $51,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the theater arts program here. 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. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #10 among the best values for theater arts. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $25,810. Set against $26,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $20,935. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Manhattanville College landed the #12 spot for theater arts value 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. Students borrow a median of $25,372 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Manhattanville College earn a median of $46,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #13 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 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 $18,920. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College earned the #14 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,790. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $17,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Wagner College landed the #15 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,478. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wagner College admits about 88% of applicants.
Nazareth College placed #16 among the best values for theater arts. Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $42,210 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $23,511. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University came in at #17 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $14,867. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Circle In The Square Theatre School ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Circle In The Square Theatre School is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,110. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,000. Median earnings reach $39,899 ten years out. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Circle In The Square Theatre School admits about 8% of applicants.
Skidmore College came in at #19 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,140. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Skidmore College generally make around $16,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Theater Arts graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $18,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ithaca College placed #21 among the best values for theater arts. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $18,243. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
Hofstra University landed the #22 spot for theater arts value this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $15,474 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
New York University landed the #23 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,762 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of New York University earn a median of $32,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $20,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Vassar College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $19,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts value ranking:
More Theater Arts Rankings
View All Theater Arts Rankings >
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
