2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 144 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat Millikin University this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $24,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for theater arts. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $14,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $21,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for value in theater arts this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,500. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,349. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $20,815. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Oakland University placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $20,903 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #13 among the best values for theater arts. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,847 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $24,569. Set against $24,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #14 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $49,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #15 for value in theater arts this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,984 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #16 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #17 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $20,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $28,000. Theater Arts graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $17,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Siena Heights University came in at #20 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $52,293. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,920 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Cleveland State University earned the #22 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #23 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $27,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Illinois State University earned the #24 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $24,246 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $28,958 early in their careers. Set against $24,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Aurora University landed the #25 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,507. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
Narrow Theater Arts Schools by State
More Theater Arts Rankings
View All Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 144 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
