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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Washington

4 Colleges in the United States
$22,295 Avg Student Debt
$60,200 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Theater Arts Badge [Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.

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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Theater Arts Schools

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot for value among theater arts schools in Washington. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $26,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Eastern Washington University one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Washington University earned it the #3 place for theater arts. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,752. Theater Arts graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $24,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,752 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Western Washington University one of the best values for theater arts. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.

5

Pacific Lutheran University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,754. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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6

Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,684. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of Cornish College Of The Arts earn a median of $19,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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