2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee
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
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among theater arts schools in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $19,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for theater arts. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $45,444. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $44,360. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,859. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $21,189. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Lipscomb University landed the #7 spot for theater arts value this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Belmont University came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 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.
