by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 145 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in California. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $17,075. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,288. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $9,384. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College earned the #7 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
San Diego City College came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts 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. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. 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, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Pasadena City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. 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.
California State University Los Angeles placed #11 among the best values for drama & theater arts. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $16,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Citrus College earned the #12 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College came in at #13 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,196. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College came in at #14 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,767. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #15 for value in drama & theater arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. 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. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,978. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #18 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College earned the #19 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #20 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $14,105. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College placed #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
El Camino Community College District came in at #22 for value in drama & theater arts this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Diablo Valley College earned the #23 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #24 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno came in at #25 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,456 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 145 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
