2026 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater design & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
For return on investment in theater design & technology, no school beat Cuny Queensborough Community College this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $6,000. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $14,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #3 place for theater design & technology. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny At Fredonia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #4 spot 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, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $20,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Suny At Purchase College, which ranked #5. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,090. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #6 for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $18,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Nazareth College earned the #7 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $23,511. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Ithaca College landed the #8 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $18,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
New York University placed #9 among the best values for theater design & technology. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of New York University earn a median of $32,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Marymount Manhattan College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,870. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $27,000. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $19,562 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marymount Manhattan College admits about 83% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
[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.
