2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in Illinois
[Directing & Theatrical Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/directing-and-theatrical-production/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for directing & theatrical production students.
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2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in directing & theatrical production, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools
For return on investment in directing & theatrical production, no school beat Roosevelt University this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $21,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in directing & theatrical production will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwestern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in directing & theatrical production, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $22,525 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in directing & theatrical production, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $23,592. Set against $26,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
