2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for theater arts in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,142 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,453. That is a strong return on a $15,142 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,585 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,810. Set against $21,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,613 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,613 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $25,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $24,732. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,175. Theater Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $19,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #7 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $23,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,625. Theater Arts graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $18,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,399. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,762. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,914 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $18,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in theater arts this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,821 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $22,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #12 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of North Alabama earned the #13 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,291. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #14 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,860. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Memphis earned the #15 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $19,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Valdosta State University landed the #16 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $28,661. Theater Arts graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #17 spot for theater arts value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $20,996 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earned the #18 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. Students from in state pay about $9,477 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,592 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,420. Set against $24,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts admits about 30% of applicants.
Western Carolina University earned the #19 position for value in theater arts this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $21,824. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans landed the #20 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,987. Theater Arts graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $21,504 early in their careers. Set against $21,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mary Baldwin College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $60,386. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State University earned the #22 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,802. Theater Arts graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $18,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #23 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Students borrow a median of $21,959 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $16,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #24 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $16,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #25 for value in theater arts this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,687. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 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.
