by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Snow College earned the #1 spot for value among theater arts schools in Utah. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,284 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $27,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
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Utah State University landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, 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. Set against $15,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah placed #7 among the best values for theater arts. 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, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $20,316. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 68%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.