2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Kentucky
[Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theater arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theater arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Theater Arts Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Arts Schools
Leading the list is Northern Kentucky University, our #1 best value for theater arts in Kentucky. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Theater Arts graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Early-career theater arts graduates make about $19,929. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theater arts will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $21,821 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kentucky earned it the #3 place for theater arts. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theater arts program here. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $20,937. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
