2026 Best Value Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in theater arts in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $38,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,978. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $53,911. Set against $21,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

5

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,914. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,154 early in their careers. Set against $25,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

6

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $15,613. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $37,985. That is a strong return on a $15,613 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

7

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

8

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Winston Salem, NC

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #8 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,592. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $27,611. Set against $24,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #9 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $24,696. That is a strong return on a $17,862 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in theater arts this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $14,358. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

11

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #11 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,255. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $61,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

12

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #12 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $16,970. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $19,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

13

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

14

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #14 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

15

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #15 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $24,273. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

16

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho earned the #16 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,287 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $64,954. Set against $21,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

17

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #17 among the best values for theater arts. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,687 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $51,750. Set against $19,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

18

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

19

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #19 for value in theater arts this year. 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. Theater Arts graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $20,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #20 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,681. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $17,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

21

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #21 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

22

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,546. Theater Arts graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

23

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University landed the #23 spot for theater arts value this year. Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ashland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,750. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado placed #24 among the best values for theater arts. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $59,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #25 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.