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2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

14 Colleges in the United States
$26,190 Avg Student Debt
$64,085 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Badge [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.

What’s on this page:

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

1

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.

2

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.

3

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%.

4
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA

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.

5

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.

6
Point Park University crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA

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.

7
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

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%.

8
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

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.

9

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.

10
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

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.

11

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.

12
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA

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%.

13

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.

14
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

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.

View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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