2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Directing & Theatrical Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/directing-and-theatrical-production/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value directing & theatrical production schools.
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2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the directing & theatrical production degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools
Eastern Michigan University earned the #1 spot for value among directing & theatrical production schools in the Great Lakes Region. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $27,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Evansville came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Students borrow a median of $23,727 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $23,407 early in their careers. Set against $23,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Roosevelt University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $21,001 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #4 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the best values for directing & theatrical production. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $22,750. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $58,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $25,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,980 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #7 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,160 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Baldwin Wallace College landed the #8 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $16,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Northwestern University placed #9 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $17,000. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $22,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University came in at #10 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $26,348. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $23,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
