by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for theater design & technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater design & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in theater design & technology, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
San Diego City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College landed the #6 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
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Mt San Antonio College came in at #8 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,384. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #10 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Santa Ana College landed the #12 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $11,196. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College placed #13 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. 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. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
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Cypress College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
American River College ranked #16 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #17 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $14,692. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Allan Hancock College came in at #18 for value in theater design & technology this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Long Beach City College placed #19 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College came in at #20 for value in theater design & technology this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,205. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College landed the #21 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Los Angeles City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $10,763. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College landed the #23 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #24 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $23,926. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #25 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $6,382. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theater design & technology:
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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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.