2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Massachusetts
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Salem State University tops our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools in Massachusetts. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $49,656 early in their careers. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,632. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $48,937. Set against $26,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,195. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Boston University one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Boston University earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Dean College landed the #7 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,526. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $29,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dean College admits about 74% of applicants.
Emerson College placed #8 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,056. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $29,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
More Theater Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
