by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theatre And Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theatre-and-dance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theatre and dance schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theatre and dance, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in theatre and dance, no school beat University Of Wyoming this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for theatre and dance graduates is $21,500. Early-career theatre and dance graduates make about $26,053. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theatre and dance schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Theatre And Dance graduates carry a median of $26,010 in student loans. Theatre And Dance graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $16,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,010 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theatre and dance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Theatre And Dance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career theatre and dance graduates make about $33,261. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rowan University earned it the #4 place for theatre and dance. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for theatre and dance graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, theatre and dance degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $18,558. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Explore the best-value theatre and dance schools at other degree levels:
View All Theatre And Dance Rankings >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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.