2027 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Theatre Literature, History & Criticism](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theatre-literature-history-and-criticism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for theatre literature, history & criticism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theatre literature, history & criticism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools
Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for theatre literature, history & criticism in the United States. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $15,638. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theatre literature, history & criticism, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $20,681. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $17,985. Set against $20,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Students looking for strong value in theatre literature, history & criticism will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Albright College earned it the #4 place for theatre literature, history & criticism. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,082. Students borrow a median of $28,958 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $38,075. That is a strong return on a $28,958 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theatre literature, history & criticism will find it at Yale University, which ranked #5. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Northwestern University earned the #6 position for value in theatre literature, history & criticism this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University earned the #7 position for value in theatre literature, history & criticism this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $22,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,348 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Bennington College earned the #8 position for value in theatre literature, history & criticism this year. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $26,445 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Bennington College generally make around $29,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Marymount Manhattan College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theatre literature, history & criticism schools. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $41,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $30,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Clark Atlanta University placed #10 among the best values for theatre literature, history & criticism. Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,310. Students borrow a median of $27,803 to complete the theatre literature, history & criticism program here. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Clark Atlanta University generally make around $28,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University came in at #11 for value in theatre literature, history & criticism this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
Other Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism rankings across degree levels:
View All Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
