by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 105 schools to find the best return on investment for theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Tulsa Community College, our #1 best value for theater arts in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for theater arts. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $16,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $17,980. Set against $17,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #4 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for theater arts. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #7 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,796. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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Midwestern State University came in at #8 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,415. Theater Arts graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #9 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,606 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $25,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,606 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston earned the #10 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $61,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Mesa Community College landed the #11 spot for theater arts value this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
University Of North Texas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $28,236 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #13 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $21,966. Theater Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $23,043 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,966 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Scottsdale Community College came in at #15 for value in theater arts this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $13,084. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #16 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $29,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #17 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,250. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $21,858. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #18 position for value in theater arts this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $22,658 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $25,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,658 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arizona placed #19 among the best values for theater arts. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,725. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,048 early in their careers. Set against $23,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for theater arts. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $24,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $26,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
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Texas State University San Marcos earned the #22 position for value in theater arts this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $26,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #23 among the best values for theater arts. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $26,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #24 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for theater arts. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,905 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $17,964. Set against $23,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater arts:
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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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.