2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Iowa
[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 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Des Moines Area Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools in Iowa. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $14,956. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $22,289. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,622. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $22,225. Set against $26,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Drake University one of the best values for theater arts. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Drake University earn a median of $19,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
