2026 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & dance education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drama & dance education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for drama & dance education in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $43,033 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
East Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $48,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State University earned it the #3 place for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,040 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $40,616. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #4 place for drama & dance education. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $51,115. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $29,625 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Harding University earned the #6 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $53,629. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
North Greenville University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,271 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from North Greenville University generally make around $42,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants.
Piedmont College landed the #8 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,975 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $52,567. That is a strong return on a $29,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Averett University landed the #9 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $53,876. That is a strong return on a $28,595 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Campbell University earned the #10 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Students from in state pay about $41,600 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $54,629. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Shenandoah University landed the #11 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $62,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University came in at #12 for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
