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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 990 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for theater arts in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. 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. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
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Grossmont College landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Suffolk County Community College placed #7 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $11,246. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College placed #8 among the best values for theater arts. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,978. Theater Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Fresno City College placed #14 among the best values for theater arts. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #15 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Riverside City College came in at #16 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #17 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Snow College earned the #18 position for value in theater arts this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District came in at #20 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Utah Valley University placed #21 among the best values for theater arts. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $23,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #22 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #23 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $10,855. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
American River College came in at #24 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College earned the #25 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,024. Theater Arts graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for theater arts this year:
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Explore the best-value theater arts schools at other degree levels:
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 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.