2027 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Southwest Region

[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 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drama & dance education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Drama & Dance Education Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Arizona State University earned the #1 spot for value among drama & dance education schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Oklahoma earned it the #2 place for drama & dance education. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $47,741. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Hardin Simmons University one of the best values for drama & dance education. Located in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Typical student debt for drama & dance education graduates is $27,709. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $48,334. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Grand Canyon University one of the best values for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $50,370. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma City University earned it the #5 place for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,754. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from Oklahoma City University generally make around $34,321. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
Howard Payne University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Howard Payne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brownwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,982. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $24,467 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Howard Payne University earn a median of $45,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Howard Payne University admits about 67% of applicants.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.