2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Michigan

[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for drama & theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drama & theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $17,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,678 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $15,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,678 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,847 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $24,569. That is a strong return on a $24,847 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Western Michigan University one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,950. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,585. That is a strong return on a $26,950 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,492 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,492 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Central Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $17,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $17,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.