2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Georgia

[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 Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Leading the list is University Of Georgia, our #1 best value for theater arts in Georgia. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $20,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Valdosta State University one of the best values for theater arts. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Columbus State University, which ranked #3. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,802 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $18,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kennesaw State University earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,500. Theater Arts graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $21,556 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Georgia Southern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $16,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia College And State University landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $51,197. Set against $24,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Spelman College placed #7 among the best values for theater arts. Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $31,556. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,397. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $40,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #8 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $23,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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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 · 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.