2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in drama & theater arts in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $25,059. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $29,622. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $17,739. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $8,858. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $15,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $14,799 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #9 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans. 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%.
Montclair State University earned the #10 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $18,474. Set against $25,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kean University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $18,812 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $17,381 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University placed #15 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University earned the #16 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $19,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #17 among the best values for drama & theater arts. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $21,800. Set against $23,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny At Purchase College placed #18 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,330. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $33,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #20 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #21 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,810. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,500. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,920. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Manhattanville College placed #23 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,604. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,372 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $46,551. Set against $25,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $47,049. Set against $26,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Albright College placed #25 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,082 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $28,958. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $38,075. Set against $28,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in drama & theater arts:
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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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
