2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drama & theater arts students.
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2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $38,598. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,142. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $34,588. That is a strong return on a $15,142 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,863 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,524. Set against $17,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,585 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $53,911. That is a strong return on a $21,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #5 place for drama & theater arts. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $32,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #6 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $18,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $14,650. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $14,358. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $61,314. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #9 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,509. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $42,756. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,539 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #12 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine earned the #13 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $17,862. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $24,696. Set against $17,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,847. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $30,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Idaho earned the #15 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,287 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $64,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $27,611. That is a strong return on a $24,592 median debt. The acceptance rate is 30%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,681. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $17,985. Set against $20,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of New Orleans placed #18 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Students borrow a median of $21,987 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $21,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #19 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $19,278 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Mary Baldwin College earned the #20 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $60,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #21 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,577. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $23,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Maharishi University Of Management placed #23 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $32,294. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #24 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $59,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #25 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% 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:
Other Drama & Theater Arts Degree Levels
Explore the best-value drama & theater arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
