2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 112 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 the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Tulsa Community College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $16,001. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $16,706. That is a strong return on a $16,001 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $17,009. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $17,980 early in their careers. Set against $17,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tyler Junior College earned it the #5 place for drama & theater arts. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,796. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University earned the #8 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,415. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,606. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $25,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,606 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $61,314. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Mesa Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $28,236. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #13 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,966 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $23,043 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,966 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College placed #15 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $29,945. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #17 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $21,858. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $26,048. That is a strong return on a $23,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $24,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #20 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Students borrow a median of $22,658 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #21 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $26,474. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,500. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $26,045. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $26,753. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #24 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,346 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #25 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,905 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $17,964. That is a strong return on a $23,905 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rest of the Top 39 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
