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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $25,059. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $20,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $16,318 early in their careers. Set against $15,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Berea College, which ranked #4. 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. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for theater arts. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. 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 $18,182. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
ADBLOCK #101
Cuny Lehman College placed #6 among the best values for theater arts. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $16,645. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Queens College placed #8 among the best values for theater arts. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $11,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #9 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,739. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,098. That is a strong return on a $17,739 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best values for theater arts. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,863 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $17,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,896. Set against $16,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $12,456. Theater Arts graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $18,082 early in their careers. Set against $12,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Bernardino placed #13 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #14 spot for theater arts value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $19,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,585 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #16 spot for theater arts value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,221 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,000. Set against $16,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $19,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Florida International University placed #18 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,500. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,113. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of West Florida landed the #19 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,677. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #20 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $15,613. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #21 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $18,431 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #22 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $22,429. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,009 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #24 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,849. Theater Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $24,732 early in their careers. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #25 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,001 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $16,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for theater arts this year:
Other Theater Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theater Arts rankings across degree levels:
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
