2026 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in Massachusetts
[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater design & technology students.
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2026 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater design & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
Leading the list is Salem State University, our #1 best value for theater design & technology in Massachusetts. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $53,543. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Boston University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Set against $26,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Emerson College, which ranked #4. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,056. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Emerson College generally make around $29,435. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
More 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
