2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Theatre Literature, History & Criticism](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theatre-literature-history-and-criticism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theatre literature, history & criticism schools.
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2026 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Leading the list is University Of Maryland College Park, our #1 best value for theatre literature, history & criticism in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $20,681. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $17,985 early in their careers. Set against $20,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theatre literature, history & criticism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marymount Manhattan College earned it the #3 place for theatre literature, history & criticism. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $41,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $19,562. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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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.