2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New Jersey

[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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drama & theater arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Kean University earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in New Jersey. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $48,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,022. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $18,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,022 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $18,558. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,139. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $16,666. Set against $25,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $13,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $24,770. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rider University came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,241. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $48,601. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.