by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater design & technology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater design & technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater design & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Saint Johns River State College earned the #1 spot for value among theater design & technology schools in Florida. Located in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $16,293. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $47,807. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt.
Valencia College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Southern College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,040. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $22,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Ringling College Of Art And Design came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $27,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.