2026 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

Our analysis ranked University Of Georgia the best value for a degree in musical theater in the Southeast Region. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $20,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

2

Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #2 spot 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. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $24,689 in student loans. Median earnings reach $47,195 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.

3

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Students looking for strong value in musical theater will find it at University Of Alabama At Birmingham, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $26,670. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned it the #4 place for musical theater. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $16,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kentucky earned it the #5 place for musical theater. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

6

University Of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA

University Of West Georgia placed #6 among the best values for musical theater. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $26,789. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $13,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

7

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston landed the #7 spot for musical theater value this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $26,943 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

8

Brenau University
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,757. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Brenau University generally make around $59,258. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR

Ouachita Baptist University earned the #9 position for value in musical theater this year. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $34,500. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Ouachita Baptist University generally make around $18,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

10

Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Loyola University New Orleans landed the #10 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. Students borrow a median of $26,606 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $48,040. Set against $26,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

11

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value musical theater schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

12

Anderson University Sc
Anderson, SC

Anderson University Sc earned the #12 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $25,581 in student loans. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $21,767. That is a strong return on a $25,581 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

13

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #13 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $27,414. Musical Theater graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

14

Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College came in at #14 for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,040. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $22,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

15

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University earned the #15 position for value in musical theater this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $17,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

16

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University came in at #16 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $21,039. Musical Theater graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Tampa
Tampa, FL

The University Of Tampa placed #17 among the best values for musical theater. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $17,196. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

18

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University earned the #18 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Elon University earn a median of $24,345 early in their careers. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.