by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of The Mainland earned the #1 spot for value among theater arts schools in Texas. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,001 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $16,706. That is a strong return on a $16,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,223. Theater Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Tyler Junior College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $10,425. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University came in at #7 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,211. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $54,611. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #8 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $29,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $61,314. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #11 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,474. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $28,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #13 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Students borrow a median of $22,658 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $25,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,658 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University placed #14 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $21,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,045. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $28,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University came in at #17 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,328. Theater Arts graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $25,036 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,328 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #18 among the best values for theater arts. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Saint Edwards University earned the #19 position for value in theater arts this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,384. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,925. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University placed #20 among the best values for theater arts. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $56,463. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Texas Christian University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $21,221. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Southern Methodist University earned the #22 position for value in theater arts this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,000. Theater Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $23,831 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #23 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,130 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $20,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,130 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.