2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in New York
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,622. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for theater arts. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $11,604. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #5 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $11,246. Theater Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $17,739. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $15,098 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #7 spot for theater arts value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. 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.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #9 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $19,673. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #11 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $21,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Niagara University landed the #12 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #13 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,935. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #14 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Theater Arts graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #15 position for value in theater arts this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,637. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #16 among the best values for theater arts. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $18,920. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Manhattanville College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,604 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,372. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $46,551. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Theater Arts graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $18,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Molloy College placed #19 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,790. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $17,050 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Wagner College came in at #20 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of Wagner College earn a median of $17,478 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wagner College admits about 88% of applicants.
Adelphi University came in at #21 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $14,867. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Nazareth College placed #22 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,210. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of Nazareth College earn a median of $23,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College landed the #23 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $18,243. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
New York University landed the #24 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $32,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Circle In The Square Theatre School landed the #25 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, Circle In The Square Theatre School is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,899. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
More Theater Arts Rankings
View All Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
