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2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in Illinois

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for theatre literature, history & criticism students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in Illinois

2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in Illinois

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

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

$68,322 In-State Tuition & Fees

$17,000 Avg Student Debt

$89,363 Median Earnings (10yr)

Northwestern University tops our 2026 list of the best value theatre literature, history & criticism schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $17,000. 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. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

2

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

$45,405 In-State Tuition & Fees

$26,348 Avg Student Debt

$68,751 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Depaul University one of the best values for theatre literature, history & criticism. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $26,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

View All Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.