[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1121 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,091. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,059. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,645. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Berea College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,142 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $18,182. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $16,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $11,604 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #9 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $17,739 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $15,098 early in their careers. Set against $17,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #10 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,863 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,524. That is a strong return on a $17,863 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $6,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $14,799 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #12 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $16,510. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,896. That is a strong return on a $16,510 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,149. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $12,456 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $18,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #15 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $19,231. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #16 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,585 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,585 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #17 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $19,929. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,221 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $23,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,221 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #19 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,677. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $23,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #20 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $20,113. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,613 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $26,457. Set against $15,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Florida State University placed #22 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $18,431 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,009 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $17,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $22,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #25 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,001 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
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:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 293 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
