2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
College Of The Mainland tops our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,001 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $16,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,001 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000, with out-of-state students paying around $20,190. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $30,136 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Tyler Junior College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Mesa Community College placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,966 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #14 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $61,314. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #15 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $29,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #16 position for value in theater arts this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,606. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,301. Set against $19,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #18 among the best values for theater arts. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,753. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Texas earned the #19 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,000. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $28,236 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #20 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,658 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $25,050 early in their careers. Set against $22,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University came in at #21 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $21,858. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,725. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,048. That is a strong return on a $23,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for theater arts. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,905 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $17,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,905 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #24 spot for theater arts value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $26,045 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $24,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for theater arts this year:
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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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
