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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

56 Colleges in the United States
$23,832 Avg Student Debt
$60,616 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Badge [Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 219 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theater design & technology schools.

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2026 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater design & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools

1

Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #1 spot for value among theater design & technology schools in the United States. 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, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $14,799. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

2

Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. 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. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,510 median debt.

3

University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $19,657. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $22,429. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

4

Millikin University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $24,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

5

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $18,026. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

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Southern Utah University earned the #6 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $19,284 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $27,335. That is a strong return on a $19,284 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.

7
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College earned the #7 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,523 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $24,526. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

8

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #8 spot for theater design & technology value this year. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $9,477, with out-of-state students paying around $27,211. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $21,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $21,238. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $14,938 early in their careers. Set against $21,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

10
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University earned the #10 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

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University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #11 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

12

Weber State University earned the #12 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
Young Harris College crest
Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College placed #13 among the best values for theater design & technology. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,305. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,689 in student loans. Median earnings reach $47,195 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.

14

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #14 for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $24,273 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #16 among the best values for theater design & technology. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

17

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #17 spot for theater design & technology value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $22,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

18

University Of Maryland College Park placed #18 among the best values for theater design & technology. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $20,681. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $17,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,681 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

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Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #19 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $15,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

20

Central Washington University came in at #20 for value in theater design & technology this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $24,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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University Of Arizona landed the #21 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $23,725. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $26,048. Set against $23,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia landed the #22 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $27,000. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23

Wright State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $26,000. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $18,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

24

Siena Heights University came in at #24 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,778. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

25

Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #25 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $18,666. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $42,266. 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:

26
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
27
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29
30
31
32
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
33
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36
37
38
39
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
40
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Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
43
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Brenau University crest
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
45
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
46
47
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
48
49
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Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Other Theater Design & Technology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theater Design & Technology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Theater Design & Technology
Associate's Degrees in Theater Design & Technology
Master's Degrees in Theater Design & Technology
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View All Theater Design & Technology 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 · 219 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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