2026 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Drama & Dance Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/drama-and-dance-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & dance education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & dance education students.
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2026 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & dance education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & dance education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $61,604. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Suny College At Brockport one of the best values for drama & dance education. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Niagara University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & dance education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $45,836 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & dance education, landing the #5 spot this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $56,365. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #6 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $61,146. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Point Park University landed the #7 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University placed #8 among the best values for drama & dance education. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $48,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Adelphi University landed the #9 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $48,402. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University placed #10 among the best values for drama & dance education. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $23,517 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $52,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
