by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & dance education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drama & dance education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Chadron State College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & dance education schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $47,254. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Ozarks earned it the #2 place for drama & dance education. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, drama & dance education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nebraska Wesleyan University earned it the #3 place for drama & dance education. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. Drama & Dance Education graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $52,199 early in their careers. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in drama & dance education will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #4. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete the drama & dance education program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Evangel University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & dance education schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $34,872. That is a strong return on a $30,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #6 for value in drama & dance education this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,750. Students borrow a median of $26,103 to complete the drama & dance education program here. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $46,956. That is a strong return on a $26,103 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Sterling College Kansas earned the #7 position for value in drama & dance education this year. Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sterling. Students from in state pay about $33,700 in tuition and fees. Drama & Dance Education graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Early-career drama & dance education graduates make about $30,086. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.