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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in District of Columbia

[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Theater Arts Schools in District of Columbia

2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in District of Columbia

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Theater Arts Schools

1

George Washington University
Washington, DC

$67,710 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,910 Avg Student Debt

$90,873 Median Earnings (10yr)

George Washington University tops our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $22,419. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

2

American University
Washington, DC

$58,771 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,989 Avg Student Debt

$77,370 Median Earnings (10yr)

American University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of American University earn a median of $23,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

View All Theater Arts Rankings >

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 · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.