2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Theatre Literature, History & Criticism](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theatre-literature-history-and-criticism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theatre literature, history & criticism education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theatre literature, history & criticism students.
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2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Western Michigan University tops our 2026 list of the best value theatre literature, history & criticism schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the best values for theatre literature, history & criticism. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $17,000. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in theatre literature, history & criticism will find it at Depaul University, which ranked #3. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,592. Set against $26,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
