2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 169 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,622. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $13,213. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,850. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $17,739. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #9 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,858. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $15,314 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #10 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,219. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $39,025. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
Kean University came in at #12 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #13 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,681 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $17,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Montclair State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,022. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $18,474. Set against $25,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #15 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University placed #16 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $19,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $20,453. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $18,812 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny College At Oswego placed #19 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $19,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $21,800 early in their careers. Set against $23,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Niagara University earned the #21 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,208. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #23 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,330. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,169. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #25 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $20,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for drama & theater arts this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 169 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
