2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 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 New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,059. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
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. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in drama & theater arts will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,739 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $15,098. Set against $17,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #5 place for drama & theater arts. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $14,799. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. 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.
Nassau Community College came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $11,850. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College placed #8 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny At Fredonia placed #9 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. 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 earned the #10 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $51,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #11 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,453. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,800. That is a strong return on a $23,453 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #12 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University At Buffalo landed the #13 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #14 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,258. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $20,935 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattanville College earned the #15 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Students borrow a median of $25,372 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Manhattanville College earn a median of $46,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton placed #16 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $18,920. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College came in at #17 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $17,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wagner College landed the #18 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,478. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wagner College admits about 88% of applicants.
Nazareth College placed #19 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Adelphi University placed #20 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,125. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $14,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Pace University New York landed the #21 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,946. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Skidmore College landed the #22 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,140. Students borrow a median of $18,274 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $16,417 early in their careers. Set against $18,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Circle In The Square Theatre School came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Circle In The Square Theatre School is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,110. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $20,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,899 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $18,671. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ithaca College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,243. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
