2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for theater arts in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,142 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Berea College
Berea, KY

Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Berea College, which ranked #2. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.

3

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #3 place for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,585. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $38,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $25,359. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

5

Florida International University
Miami, FL

A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for theater arts. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,113. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,849. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,732. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

7

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida landed the #7 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,677. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,852. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #8 position for value in theater arts this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $19,929. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

9

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #9 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,613 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,221. Set against $15,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #10 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,625. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $18,452. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Winston Salem, NC

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earned the #11 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,592 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $24,420. Set against $24,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts admits about 30% of applicants.

12

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,914 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,154 early in their careers. Set against $25,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #13 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $22,884. Set against $21,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

14

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #14 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,000. Theater Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $17,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,762. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

16

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #16 position for value in theater arts this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,324. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

University Of New Orleans landed the #17 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $21,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

18

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University landed the #18 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $21,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

19

Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College earned the #19 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,305. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the theater arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,195. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

20

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #20 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,687. Theater Arts graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,687 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

21

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in theater arts this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,399. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

22

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University earned the #22 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $44,914. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.

23

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University landed the #23 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $25,802 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $18,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,802 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.

24

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University placed #24 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.

25

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #25 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,875. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $19,055. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.