2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat Snow College this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $10,855. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for theater arts. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $16,510. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $23,896. Set against $16,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $16,587 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $19,284 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $27,335. Set against $19,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah State University placed #7 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,601 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $23,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah landed the #8 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,316 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $20,701 early in their careers. Set against $20,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #9 position for value in theater arts this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,287 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #10 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $22,904 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $21,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $28,281 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $28,901 early in their careers. Set against $28,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Idaho State University came in at #12 for value in theater arts this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Montana ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,997. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Set against $27,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #14 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $42,124 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #15 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $28,172. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Boise State University earned the #16 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $32,142. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
