[Drama & Dance Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/drama-and-dance-education/) 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 88 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value drama & dance education schools.
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Finding the Best Value Drama & Dance Education School for You
The right drama & dance education school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value drama & dance education schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in drama & dance education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $73,336. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for drama & dance education. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,715 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $49,297. Set against $18,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in drama & dance education will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #5. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Central Washington University placed #6 among the best values for drama & dance education. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $23,377 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University landed the #7 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $45,042 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #8 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,680 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $42,094. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #9 among the best values for drama & dance education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $43,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Weber State University came in at #10 for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $50,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chadron State College came in at #11 for value in drama & dance education this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #12 for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $9,117. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $47,153. That is a strong return on a $9,117 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $49,745. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport landed the #15 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #16 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $60,151. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #17 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $24,250. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $51,115. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #18 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
East Carolina University placed #19 among the best values for drama & dance education. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $48,318. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University earned the #20 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $28,040 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $40,616 early in their careers. Set against $28,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University earned the #21 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,072. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #22 spot for drama & dance education value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Salem State University came in at #23 for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #24 among the best values for drama & dance education. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $26,082 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #25 for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $49,275. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in drama & dance education:
Drama & Dance Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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).
[Drama & Dance Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/drama-and-dance-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
