by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drama & Dance Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/drama-and-dance-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & dance education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & dance education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Chadron State College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & dance education schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $24,943. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & dance education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State University Mankato earned it the #3 place for drama & dance education. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in drama & dance education will find it at Evangel University, which ranked #4. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $42,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & dance education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $48,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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Nebraska Wesleyan University placed #6 among the best values for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,572. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $52,199 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University placed #7 among the best values for drama & dance education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $45,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
Drake University placed #8 among the best values for drama & dance education. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $56,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.