[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 219 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater design & technology students.
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Finding the Best Value Theater Design & Technology School for You
Where you study theater design & technology affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for theater design & technology in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $5,707. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Santa Monica College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #7 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #8 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $7,234. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #10 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #11 for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,514. Theater Design & Technology graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Citrus College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Santa Ana College earned the #13 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $11,196. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #14 for value in theater design & technology this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $8,978. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #15 among the best values for theater design & technology. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #16 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #17 for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #18 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Nassau Community College earned the #19 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $11,850. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #20 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $14,799 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Diablo Valley College placed #21 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Long Beach City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College earned the #24 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #25 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $10,855. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for theater design & technology this year:
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Theater Design & Technology Related Rankings by Major
Theater Design & Technology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
ADBLOCK #115
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 · 219 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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).
[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
