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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

12 Colleges in the United States
$24,621 Avg Student Debt
$65,458 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Badge [Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & theater arts students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

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

1

Montgomery County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

4

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.

5
Point Park University crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

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Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,259. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

7
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $19,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

8
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,150. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

9
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA

Desales University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Desales University earn a median of $17,377 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

10

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

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11

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

12
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #12 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

13
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #13 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,184. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $72,601. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 53 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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