2027 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for theater design & technology students.
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2027 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theater design & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
For return on investment in theater design & technology, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #2 place for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at Modesto Junior College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $8,575. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Cypress College placed #6 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Saddleback College earned the #7 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $5,707. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #8 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #9 for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College placed #10 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Grossmont College landed the #11 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Utah Valley University landed the #12 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $16,510. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,510 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #13 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #14 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #15 among the best values for theater design & technology. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #16 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College came in at #17 for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Chaffey College earned the #18 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College came in at #19 for value in theater design & technology this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $11,850. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College landed the #20 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #23 for value in theater design & technology this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $35,850. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Johns River State College earned the #24 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,591, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt.
Miracosta College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater design & technology value ranking:
Other Theater Design & Technology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theater Design & Technology rankings across degree levels:
View All Theater Design & Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
