2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Texas
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
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2026 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Texas
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
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat The University Of Texas Pan American this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $16,001. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $16,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Houston Community College, which ranked #2. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #3 place for theater arts. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $61,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the theater arts program here. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $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.
University Of North Texas came in at #6 for value in theater arts this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $28,236. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Midwestern State University earned the #8 position for value in theater arts this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #9 for value in theater arts this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $29,945. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Sam Houston State University landed the #10 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $22,250. Theater Arts graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $21,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #11 among the best values for theater arts. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,658 in student loans. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $26,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $26,474. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University earned the #15 position for value in theater arts this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $28,933. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Tarleton State University came in at #16 for value in theater arts this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $23,222. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $50,532. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #17 spot for theater arts value this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $27,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University placed #18 among the best values for theater arts. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,328 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $25,036. That is a strong return on a $22,328 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Saint Edwards University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theater arts schools. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $51,384 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $15,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University landed the #20 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University landed the #21 spot for theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $21,221. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University came in at #22 for value in theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $23,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University earned the #23 position for value in theater arts this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,130 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $20,267. Set against $24,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
More Theater Arts Rankings
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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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
