College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Washington

5 Colleges in the United States
$22,295 Avg Student Debt
$60,200 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Badge [Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in Washington. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,638 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $26,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,638 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

2

Eastern Washington University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Central Washington University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,752. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $24,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

Western Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $24,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

Pacific Lutheran University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,754. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.

6

Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #6 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $19,045. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options