2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value drama & theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in Tennessee. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,860. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #2 place for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $50,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $22,875. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $19,055. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $44,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Lipscomb University landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Visible Music College earned the #8 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Visible Music College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,000. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Visible Music College earn a median of $28,885 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Belmont University landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >
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 · 24 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.
