2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Georgia

[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
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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%.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
More Theater Arts Rankings
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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.
- 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.