2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong drama & theater arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drama & theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast 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
For return on investment in drama & theater arts, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,142 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $25,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,585 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,810. Set against $21,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $15,613. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $32,221. Set against $15,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Florida State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $25,359. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $24,732. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #6 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #7 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $19,929. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of West Florida landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $23,852 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #9 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $18,452. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #11 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,762. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Saint Johns River State College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Saint Johns River State College is a large public school located in the town of Palatka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,591, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $47,807. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,914 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $18,154. That is a strong return on a $25,914 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,821. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $22,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of North Alabama came in at #16 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,291. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Valencia College placed #17 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $42,786 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,509 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $42,756. Set against $24,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #19 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $17,860. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $19,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Valdosta State University placed #21 among the best values for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #22 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $20,996. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $24,592. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $24,420. That is a strong return on a $24,592 median debt. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #24 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $21,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of New Orleans ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,987. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $21,504 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,987 median debt. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for drama & theater arts this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 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.
