2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the New England Region
[Drama & Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 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 New England 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
Rhode Island College earned the #1 spot for value among drama & theater arts schools in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,523 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $24,526. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,632. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $48,937. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Capital Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salem State University earned it the #4 place for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,340. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine placed #6 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,593. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $12,960. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Keene State College came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,185. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University placed #8 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $24,150. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #9 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont earned the #10 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $22,607. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #11 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,500. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $19,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #12 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #13 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Eastern Connecticut State University placed #14 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $39,573. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $24,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $21,508. That is a strong return on a $26,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Connecticut placed #17 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,414 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $18,002. That is a strong return on a $25,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Brown University placed #18 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Wesleyan University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $16,125. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University came in at #20 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Dean College landed the #21 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,526. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Dean College earn a median of $29,639 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Bennington College placed #22 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,445. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $16,579 early in their careers. Set against $26,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Emerson College placed #23 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,056. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $29,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
Berklee College Of Music came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,040. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $26,374. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
