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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 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 Millikin University, our #1 best value for theater arts in Illinois. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,013. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,639. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,238. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $14,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,500. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,349 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
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Illinois State University landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $28,958. Set against $24,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Aurora University came in at #7 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $51,483. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University earned the #8 position for value in theater arts this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $21,001. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
North Central College placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of North Central College earn a median of $20,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Columbia College Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $17,929. Set against $26,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #11 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $22,525. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #12 position for value in theater arts this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,348. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,592. That is a strong return on a $26,348 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Wesleyan University earned the #13 position for value in theater arts this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $57,704. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $19,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,625. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.