2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Directing & Theatrical Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/directing-and-theatrical-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong directing & theatrical production education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for directing & theatrical production students.
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2027 Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
University At Buffalo earned the #1 spot for value among directing & theatrical production schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $26,637. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Binghamton earned it the #2 place for directing & theatrical production. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $18,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Rider University one of the best values for directing & theatrical production. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $48,601. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Point Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in directing & theatrical production, landing the #4 spot this year. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career directing & theatrical production graduates make about $19,269. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Nazareth College placed #6 among the best values for directing & theatrical production. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $44,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Pace University New York came in at #7 for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Typical student debt for directing & theatrical production graduates is $27,000. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $17,946 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #8 position for value in directing & theatrical production this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Marymount Manhattan College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value directing & theatrical production schools. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,870. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Soon after graduation, directing & theatrical production degree recipients from Marymount Manhattan College generally make around $19,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The New School landed the #10 spot for directing & theatrical production value this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the directing & theatrical production program here. Directing & Theatrical Production graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 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.
