2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $25,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for theater arts. 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. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $13,303. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $11,604 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

5

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #5 place for theater arts. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

6

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,739. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $15,098. Set against $17,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #7 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $15,314. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $48,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

10

Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA

Montgomery County Community College earned the #10 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $15,219 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #11 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,681. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $17,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

12

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University came in at #12 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,022 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $18,474 early in their careers. Set against $25,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

Community College Of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA

Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #13 position for value in theater arts this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $15,263. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.

14

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #14 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $19,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

15

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia placed #15 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

16

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $18,812 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $17,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,812 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

17

Suny College At Oswego
Oswego, NY

Suny College At Oswego earned the #17 position for value in theater arts this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $19,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

18

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #18 among the best values for theater arts. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $21,800. That is a strong return on a $23,453 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.

19

Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University landed the #19 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $51,918. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

20

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College placed #20 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $18,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

21

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University placed #21 among the best values for theater arts. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.

22

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #22 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,935. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

23

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #23 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,169. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

24

Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,620 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $15,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,620 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

25

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo came in at #25 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $25,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.