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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 167 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for theater arts in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,776. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for theater arts. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #5 place for theater arts. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Grossmont College came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Fresno City College placed #7 among the best values for theater arts. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $7,234. Theater Arts graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #8 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
San Diego City College came in at #9 for value in theater arts this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #10 position for value in theater arts this year. 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. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #11 spot for theater arts value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $16,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Citrus College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College earned the #13 position for value in theater arts this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #14 position for value in theater arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $21,580. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Riverside City College placed #15 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $8,767. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #17 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #18 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Diablo Valley College earned the #19 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,205. Theater Arts graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College came in at #20 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College earned the #21 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #22 spot for theater arts value this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
El Camino Community College District came in at #23 for value in theater arts this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
California State University San Bernardino placed #24 among the best values for theater arts. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $15,149. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Allan Hancock College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
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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 · 167 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
