by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater design & technology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 219 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater design & technology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater design & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in theater design & technology, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $17,075. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Grossmont College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
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Santa Monica College earned the #6 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias placed #7 among the best values for theater design & technology. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College placed #8 among the best values for theater design & technology. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #9 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,191. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
San Diego City College landed the #10 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. 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. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Orange Coast College earned the #12 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $10,052. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College placed #14 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College landed the #15 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Nassau Community College landed the #16 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #17 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College earned the #18 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
American River College landed the #19 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $10,855. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College earned the #21 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #22 for value in theater design & technology this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Los Angeles City College came in at #24 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #25 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater design & technology:
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Explore the best-value theater design & technology schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.