2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in California
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 132 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for theater arts in California. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for theater arts. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, 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. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $7,234. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,384. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College landed the #7 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
San Diego City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #9 for value in theater arts this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Pasadena City College came in at #10 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,191. 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.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $16,645. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Citrus College placed #12 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College placed #13 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the theater arts program here. 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.
Riverside City College landed the #14 spot for theater arts value 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, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, 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. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Orange Coast College landed the #16 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Cypress College landed the #17 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Merced College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,024. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $45,032. That is a strong return on a $9,024 median debt.
American River College earned the #20 position for value in theater arts this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #21 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District came in at #22 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Diablo Valley College ranked #23 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $9,205. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
California State University San Bernardino placed #25 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the theater arts program here. 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
More Theater Arts Rankings
View All Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 132 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
