2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 243 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value drama & theater arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,142 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Berea College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,585. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $20,113. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #6 among 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $25,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $19,929 early in their careers. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $23,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $24,732. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #10 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $32,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #11 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $18,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #12 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,914 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts placed #13 among the best values for drama & theater arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Students borrow a median of $24,592 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $24,420. That is a strong return on a $24,592 median debt. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts admits about 30% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,821 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $22,884 early in their careers. Set against $21,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Valencia College came in at #15 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $17,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #17 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,762. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #18 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,324. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,987. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $21,504 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Western Carolina University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Young Harris College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,305 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,689. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,687. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,687 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,509. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $42,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,399. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #25 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. Students from in state pay about $4,268 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,593. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $43,661. Set against $20,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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
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 · 243 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 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.
