2026 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in musical theater in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $20,798. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $17,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

A rank of #2 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $24,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

3

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Students looking for strong value in musical theater will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $20,815. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,678 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $15,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

5

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #5 spot this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $17,962. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #6 for value in musical theater this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $27,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $27,492 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

7

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #7 position for value in musical theater this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

8

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #8 for value in musical theater this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $26,950. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $21,585. That is a strong return on a $26,950 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #9 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $24,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

10

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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 musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $19,286. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

11

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University earned the #11 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $21,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

12

Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University earned the #12 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $26,822. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $12,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.

13

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #13 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of North Central College earn a median of $20,416 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

14

Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University came in at #14 for value in musical theater this year. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,250. Students borrow a median of $26,906 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $19,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.

15

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago placed #15 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $17,929. Set against $26,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

16

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

17

Baldwin Wallace College
Berea, OH

Baldwin Wallace College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,000. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $16,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.

18

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #18 for value in musical theater this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $57,704. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $19,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants.

19

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University landed the #19 spot for musical theater value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Set against $26,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.