2026 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Directing & Theatrical Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/directing-and-theatrical-production/) 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 17 schools to find the best return on investment for directing & theatrical production students.
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2026 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the directing & theatrical production degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools
Millikin University earned the #1 spot for value among directing & theatrical production schools in the Great Lakes Region. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $24,013 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in directing & theatrical production, landing the #2 spot this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $27,492 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Roosevelt University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $21,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Evansville one of the best values for directing & theatrical production. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Students borrow a median of $23,727 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $23,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,727 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $25,070. Set against $25,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Columbia College Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,160 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $22,525 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $16,055 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #10 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $26,348 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Set against $26,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
