[Directing & Theatrical Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/directing-and-theatrical-production/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong directing & theatrical production education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for directing & theatrical production students.
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Finding the Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production School for You
Where you study directing & theatrical production affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production 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 Directing & Theatrical Production Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Seattle Campus the best value for a degree in directing & theatrical production in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $26,555 early in their careers. Set against $15,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for directing & theatrical production. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $16,192. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $24,013. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in directing & theatrical production, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $24,273. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Oregon University one of the best values for directing & theatrical production. Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ashland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $20,668. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.
Salem State University placed #6 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $27,176. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,492 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $47,887. Set against $27,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #8 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,268. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $20,593 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $43,661 early in their careers. Set against $20,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lindenwood University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $22,750. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville landed the #12 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Students borrow a median of $23,727 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $23,407. That is a strong return on a $23,727 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $26,622. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $57,375. Set against $26,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #14 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $18,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Roosevelt University came in at #15 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $26,000. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $21,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #16 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $25,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,980 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,572 in tuition and fees. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $23,649. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Point Park University came in at #18 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University landed the #19 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rider University earned the #20 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $48,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #21 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $22,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Boston University landed the #22 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,958 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $21,508. Set against $26,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $13,182. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #24 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,977 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $29,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Yale University came in at #25 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $14,357. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for directing & theatrical production this year:
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Directing & Theatrical Production Related Rankings by Major
Directing & Theatrical Production is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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).
[Directing & Theatrical Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/directing-and-theatrical-production/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong directing & theatrical production education at a price that pays off.
