2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #4. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $5,707. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Grossmont College, which ranked #5. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Fresno City College landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $7,234. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #7 among the best values for drama & theater arts. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #8 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Pasadena City College placed #9 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #11 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,645. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Citrus College came in at #12 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
California State University Fullerton earned the #13 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $21,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Ana College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #15 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,767. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #16 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Cypress College came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Diablo Valley College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College placed #20 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
American River College came in at #21 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $14,105. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Merced College earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $9,024. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District placed #23 among the best values for drama & theater arts. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #25 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,456 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $18,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,456 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
Narrow Drama & Theater Arts Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 181 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
