2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $38,598. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $24,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $53,911. That is a strong return on a $21,585 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,914 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $18,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. 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 $37,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

7

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

8

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Winston Salem, NC

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, with out-of-state students paying around $27,211. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $27,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 30%.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #9 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $17,862 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $24,696 early in their careers. Set against $17,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

10

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $61,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #11 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,970 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $19,673 early in their careers. Set against $16,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #12 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $14,358 early in their careers. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

13

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #13 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $20,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

14

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,796. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #15 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $24,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho earned the #16 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $21,287 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $64,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

17

Mississippi University For Women
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University For Women came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #18 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,687 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Set against $19,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

19

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #19 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $26,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

20

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts 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%.

21

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #21 among the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $17,985. Set against $20,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

22

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #22 for value in drama & theater arts this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,538. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

23

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

24

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $20,668. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

25

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #25 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $43,430. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.