2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Massachusetts

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 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 Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drama & theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Salem State University tops our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $49,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $26,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,958. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Suffolk University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $23,189 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Dean College landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,526 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Dean College earn a median of $29,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Emerson College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,056. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Emerson College generally make around $29,435. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Berklee College Of Music earned the #9 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $27,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Berklee College Of Music earn a median of $26,374 early in their careers. 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. 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.