2027 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Master’s Degree Schools

[Drama & Dance Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/drama-and-dance-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drama & dance education schools.
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2027 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drama & dance education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for drama & dance education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $73,962. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $13,389. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $73,336. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Ball State University one of the best values for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $24,998. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $53,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #5 place for drama & dance education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,028. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $43,033 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Salem State University earned the #7 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
East Carolina University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $53,029. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University placed #9 among the best values for drama & dance education. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $27,000. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $57,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport placed #10 among the best values for drama & dance education. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $51,694 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $61,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Columbus State University earned the #12 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,040 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $40,616. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #13 for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for drama & dance education. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $26,513. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University came in at #15 for value in drama & dance education this year. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $45,836. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $58,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Oregon University earned the #17 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,514, while out-of-state students pay about $32,169. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $24,166. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Western Oregon University generally make around $39,436. That is a strong return on a $24,166 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $47,741. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont College earned the #20 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,700. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $29,975 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $55,865. That is a strong return on a $29,975 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College landed the #21 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Students borrow a median of $25,075 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $48,797. That is a strong return on a $25,075 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $48,312 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University landed the #23 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,440 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $54,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rowan University placed #24 among the best values for drama & dance education. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $62,761. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University landed the #25 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $58,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & dance education value ranking:
Other Drama & Dance Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Drama & Dance Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Drama & Dance Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.