2026 Best Value Musical Theater Schools

1

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University earned the #1 spot for value among musical theater schools in the United States. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $19,284 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $27,335. Set against $19,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $17,862. Musical Theater graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $22,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,862 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

3

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

A rank of #3 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for musical theater. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,523. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $24,526. Set against $24,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

4

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

A rank of #4 makes Millikin University one of the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $24,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $19,399. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $20,762. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

6

Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

Modesto Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.

7

Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College earned the #7 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,305. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,689. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 for value in musical theater this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $17,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

9

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #9 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University earned the #10 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #12 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $20,815. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $18,591 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $45,591. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

14

Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ

Paradise Valley Community College earned the #14 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University placed #15 among the best values for musical theater. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $21,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

16

Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale Community College landed the #16 spot for musical theater value this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University came in at #17 for value in musical theater this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,752 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $24,674. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

18

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

19

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $24,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

20

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #20 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $23,725 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,725 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

21

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #21 for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $21,500. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $26,045. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

22

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #22 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $21,000. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $26,753. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

23

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #23 spot for musical theater value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $15,579. That is a strong return on a $26,678 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

24

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

25

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #25 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $16,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.