2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New Jersey
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New Jersey
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 Kean University 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,022. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $18,474 early in their careers. Set against $25,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,620. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,558. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Rutgers University New Brunswick one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $24,770. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #6 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. Students borrow a median of $25,139 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,666. That is a strong return on a $25,139 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rider University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,241. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $48,601. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Drew University landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $13,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
