by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in theater arts, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $12,059. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Central Connecticut State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the theater arts program here. 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. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Western Connecticut State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theater arts schools. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $27,000. Theater Arts graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $24,150 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yale University earned it the #4 place for theater arts. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Connecticut State University earned it the #5 place for theater arts. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $39,573 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #6 spot for theater arts value this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $25,414 in student loans. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $18,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Wesleyan University earned the #7 position for value in theater arts this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Typical student debt for theater arts graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.