2027 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 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 Southwest 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
Leading the list is College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for drama & theater arts in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $16,001. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $16,706. Set against $16,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Tulsa Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public school located in the town of Chickasha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma generally make around $30,136. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $54,611. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Lone Star College System came in at #9 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $10,425. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #10 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $13,750. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University landed the #13 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,966 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $23,043. Set against $21,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $61,314. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value drama & theater arts schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $29,945. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Arizona State University landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $19,606 in student loans. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $25,301 early in their careers. Set against $19,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #17 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $26,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #18 for value in drama & theater arts this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,000. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $26,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Texas placed #19 among the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $28,236. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #20 position for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $22,658 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $25,050. That is a strong return on a $22,658 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University came in at #21 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the drama & theater arts program here. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $21,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #22 among the best values for drama & theater arts. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $23,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $26,048. That is a strong return on a $23,725 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #23 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $21,500. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $26,045. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Drama & Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career drama & theater arts graduates make about $24,871. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #25 spot for drama & theater arts value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for drama & theater arts graduates is $23,905. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $17,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,905 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts value ranking:
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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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
