2027 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[Drama & Dance Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/drama-and-dance-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & dance education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & dance education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & dance education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Greensboro the best value for a degree in drama & dance education in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $43,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
East Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & dance education, landing the #2 spot this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $48,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,040 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $40,616. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Winthrop University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & dance education, landing the #4 spot this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $39,378. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Students looking for strong value in drama & dance education will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $24,250. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $51,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Lee University placed #6 among the best values for drama & dance education. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $29,625. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,625 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Carson Newman College earned the #7 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
Piedmont College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Set in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,700. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $29,975. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Piedmont College generally make around $55,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Piedmont College admits about 93% of applicants.
North Greenville University landed the #9 spot for drama & dance education value this year. North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Tigerville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,800. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $19,271 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $43,644. Set against $19,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University earned the #10 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Harding University earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Averett University landed the #11 spot for drama & dance education value this year. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Averett University earn a median of $53,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,595 median debt. Averett University admits about 57% of applicants.
Shenandoah University placed #12 among the best values for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $62,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
Belmont University earned the #13 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Narrow Drama & Dance Education Schools by State
More Drama & Dance Education Rankings
View All Drama & Dance Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
