2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among theater arts schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $33,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Albright College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,082. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $28,958 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $38,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $25,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Muhlenberg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,805 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,150. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,203. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #8 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Desales University placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $17,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $27,886. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
More Theater Arts Rankings
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.