by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/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 990 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
The right theater arts school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Theater Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theater Arts Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $11,091. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $13,303. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,142 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $25,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,142 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Berea College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #5 place for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
1
2
3
4
5
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for theater arts. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $21,580. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #7 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $16,645. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $11,604. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Mt San Antonio College placed #10 among the best values for theater arts. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #11 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #14 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #15 for value in theater arts this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #16 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #17 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Diablo Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College came in at #20 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $17,739 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, 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.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #21 for value in theater arts this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #22 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Northridge ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,863 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,524. That is a strong return on a $17,863 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #24 for value in theater arts this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $15,314. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #25 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Theater Arts. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 990 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 242 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.