2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools
[Theatre Literature, History & Criticism](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theatre-literature-history-and-criticism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theatre literature, history & criticism students.
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Finding the Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism School for You
The right theatre literature, history & criticism school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theatre literature, history & criticism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools
Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for theatre literature, history & criticism in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $15,638. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $26,555. Set against $15,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for theatre literature, history & criticism. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $17,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theatre literature, history & criticism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the best values for theatre literature, history & criticism. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yale University earned it the #5 place for theatre literature, history & criticism. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Depaul University earned the #6 position for value in theatre literature, history & criticism this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,348 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College came in at #7 for value in theatre literature, history & criticism this year. Set in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $26,445. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,445 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Catholic University Of America landed the #8 spot for theatre literature, history & criticism value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $25,771. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $65,120. Set against $25,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Marymount Manhattan College landed the #9 spot for theatre literature, history & criticism value this year. Located in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,870. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $19,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Elon University earned the #10 position for value in theatre literature, history & criticism this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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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 · 19 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.
