2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Wisconsin

[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.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point tops our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools in Wisconsin. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,903. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $20,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,906. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $19,930. That is a strong return on a $26,906 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.