2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in District of Columbia
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Catholic University Of America earned the #1 spot for value among theater arts schools in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. Set against $25,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
George Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,910. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $22,419. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.
American University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,989. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
More Theater Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
