by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) 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 112 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater design & technology schools.
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The right theater design & technology school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater design & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among theater design & technology schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #4. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Modesto Junior College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College came in at #8 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #9 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,191. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Citrus College placed #11 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Utah Valley University came in at #12 for value in theater design & technology this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $14,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Sinclair Community College earned the #14 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #15 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Austin Community College District placed #16 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #17 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #18 among the best values for theater design & technology. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $17,619. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Chaffey College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Allan Hancock College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Nassau Community College landed the #22 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $11,850. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College placed #23 among the best values for theater design & technology. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #25 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater design & technology:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Theater Design & Technology. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 112 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.