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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drama & theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
For return on investment in drama & theater arts, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $9,384. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
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Grossmont College came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College placed #7 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,978. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #8 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Diablo Valley College placed #10 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Nassau Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #12 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #13 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Fresno City College landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $7,234. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,314. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Cypress College placed #16 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Riverside City College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,767. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #18 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Snow College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Long Beach City College earned the #20 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District came in at #21 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Utah Valley University earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $16,510. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $23,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,510 median debt.
San Diego City College came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #24 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,855. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College placed #25 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
Other Drama & Theater Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Drama & Theater Arts rankings across degree levels:
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
