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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Georgia

6 Colleges in the United States
$25,114 Avg Student Debt
$52,539 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Theater Arts Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.

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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Georgia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Theater Arts Schools

1
Young Harris College crest
Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Our analysis ranked Young Harris College the best value for a degree in theater arts in Georgia. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,305. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $24,689. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,195. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,762. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

3

Valdosta State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $28,661. Theater Arts graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Columbus State University one of the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, 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. Set against $25,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

5

University Of West Georgia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,789. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $13,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

6

Kennesaw State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $21,556 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

7

Georgia Southern University earned the #7 position for value in theater arts this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $16,586 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8
Brenau University crest
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University landed the #8 spot for theater arts value this year. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Brenau University generally make around $59,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Oglethorpe University landed the #9 spot for theater arts value this year. Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $47,590 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Oglethorpe University generally make around $34,113. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #10 for value in theater arts this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $23,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

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 · 25 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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