2027 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 73 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater design & technology schools.
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2027 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater design & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools in the United States. 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. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $16,510. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #2 place for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $14,799. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Set against $24,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #4. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $19,284. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $27,335. That is a strong return on a $19,284 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $26,678. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $15,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,678 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #6 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $22,429 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia came in at #7 for value in theater design & technology this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #8 for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $21,238 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $14,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Weber State University earned the #9 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $19,176. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #10 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $20,798. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $17,577 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #11 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $18,026 early in their careers. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #12 among the best values for theater design & technology. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $22,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #14 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Students borrow a median of $24,592 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $21,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #16 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $17,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #17 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $21,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #18 for value in theater design & technology this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $22,289. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #19 for value in theater design & technology this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $26,048. That is a strong return on a $23,725 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #21 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $23,905. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $17,964. That is a strong return on a $23,905 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for theater design & technology. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,492 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $27,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Salem State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $18,666. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Keene State College earned the #25 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $41,049. That is a strong return on a $26,185 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater design & technology:
Other Theater Design & Technology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theater Design & Technology rankings across degree levels:
View All Theater Design & Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
