2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

[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 14 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 Pennsylvania
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
For return on investment in drama & theater arts, no school beat Northampton County Area Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $33,169. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Albright College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,082 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $28,958. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $38,075. Set against $28,958 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 West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Point Park University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,570. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University earned the #7 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Temple University earn a median of $19,269 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Muhlenberg College came in at #8 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,805. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $17,150 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Muhlenberg College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Arcadia University landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $17,203. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $27,391. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Desales University earned the #12 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,800. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $17,377. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $27,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #14 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $28,838. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.