2027 Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools
[Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/dramatic-theatre-arts-and-stagecraft-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft students.
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Finding the Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft School for You
The other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools
For return on investment in other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates carry a median of $21,238 in student loans. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $14,650. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $21,821. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $22,884. Set against $21,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #4 place for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $13,000. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $19,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #7 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,268. Students borrow a median of $20,593 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $43,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,593 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,681 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Mary Baldwin College came in at #9 for value in other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $60,386. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #10 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $20,815. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Michigan University landed the #11 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $26,950. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $21,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Sacred Heart landed the #12 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santurce. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $19,000. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $24,742. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Evansville landed the #13 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $23,727. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $23,407. Set against $23,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earned the #14 position for value in other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft this year. Located in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,650. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $17,124. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $18,132. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #15 position for value in other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #16 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut landed the #17 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $25,414. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Stephens College placed #18 among the best values for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft. Located in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,300. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $55,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #19 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,977 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $29,160. That is a strong return on a $26,977 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University came in at #20 for value in other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University landed the #21 spot for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft value this year. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates make about $13,182. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Drake University placed #22 among the best values for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates of Drake University earn a median of $19,613 early in their careers. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Temple University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $19,269. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft 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. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California placed #25 among the best values for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft program here. Other Dramatic/theatre Arts & Stagecraft graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $21,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for other dramatic/theatre arts & stagecraft this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
