2027 Best Value Musical Theater Schools
[Musical Theater](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/musical-theater/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong musical theater education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools to find the best return on investment for musical theater students.
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Finding the Best Value Musical Theater School for You
Where you study musical theater affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Musical Theater Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Musical Theater Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Musical Theater Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the musical theater degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Musical Theater Schools
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among musical theater schools in the United States. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $19,284. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $27,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in musical theater will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #4 spot this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,523. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Modesto Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
University Of Georgia placed #6 among the best values for musical theater. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $20,762 early in their careers. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Red Rocks Community College earned the #7 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $14,471. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $76,340. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
Oakland University earned the #8 position for value in musical theater this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $15,579. That is a strong return on a $26,678 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #9 for value in musical theater this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,862 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $22,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Mesa Community College landed the #10 spot for musical theater value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $13,750. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #11 spot for musical theater value this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Weber State University placed #12 among the best values for musical theater. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $19,176. Musical Theater graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Alabama earned the #13 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $24,291. Musical Theater graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California State University Chico came in at #14 for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
San Diego State University came in at #15 for value in musical theater this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,538. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #16 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $26,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #17 position for value in musical theater this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $20,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #18 for value in musical theater this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the musical theater program here. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $18,403 early in their careers. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for musical theater value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $24,871. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #20 among the best values for musical theater. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $26,045. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #21 position for value in musical theater this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $21,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #22 for value in musical theater this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete the musical theater program here. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $26,048. That is a strong return on a $23,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #23 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Musical Theater graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Musical Theater graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value musical theater schools. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the musical theater program here. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $16,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Sam Houston State University earned the #25 position for value in musical theater this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musical theater graduates is $22,250. Early-career musical theater graduates make about $21,858. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Musical Theater Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s musical theater value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Musical Theater. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 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.
