2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 76 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 York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $13,213. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $11,604. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. 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. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,739 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $15,098. Set against $17,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. 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. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $14,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Nassau Community College earned the #9 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #10 position 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. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,858. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,314. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $20,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego placed #12 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $19,673. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #13 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,800. That is a strong return on a $23,453 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Niagara University earned the #14 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #15 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College earned the #16 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. 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. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University At Buffalo came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $25,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $18,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Manhattanville College came in at #19 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,372. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $46,551. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $18,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College came in at #21 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $17,050 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wagner College earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,200. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University earned the #23 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,125. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $14,867 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Nazareth College placed #24 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Nazareth College earn a median of $23,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Pace University New York ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >
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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
