2026 Best Value Musical Theater Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Leading the list is Southern Utah University, our #1 best value for musical theater in the United States. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $19,284 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $27,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $17,862 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $20,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

3

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

A rank of #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

4

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,523 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $24,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

6

Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College came in at #6 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,305 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,689. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,195. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

8

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $26,415. Musical Theater graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

10

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #10 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $22,000. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $20,815. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

11

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico earned the #11 position for value in musical theater this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $45,591. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

12

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University earned the #12 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $21,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University placed #13 among the best values for musical theater. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $24,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #14 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $20,538. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

15

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for musical theater value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

16

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona earned the #16 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete the musical theater program here. 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. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

17

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #17 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. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $26,045 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

18

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #18 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $26,753 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

19

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #19 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $15,579. That is a strong return on a $26,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

20

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia landed the #20 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.

21

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. 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%.

22

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $25,250. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $26,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky landed the #23 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $49,568. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

24

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #24 spot for musical theater value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $17,962 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #25 for value in musical theater this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,492. Musical Theater graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.