2027 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater design & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Northern Iowa the best value for a degree in theater design & technology in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $24,875. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $22,289. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,572. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $23,649. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for theater design & technology. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $26,622 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $22,225. Set against $26,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Stephens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $55,458. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephens College admits about 77% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.