2027 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theatre literature, history & criticism education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theatre literature, history & criticism students.
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2027 Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theatre literature, history & criticism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools
Western Michigan University earned the #1 spot for value among theatre literature, history & criticism schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for theatre literature, history & criticism graduates is $26,950. Early-career theatre literature, history & criticism graduates make about $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the best values for theatre literature, history & criticism. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #3 makes Depaul University one of the best values for theatre literature, history & criticism. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theatre literature, history & criticism degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,592. That is a strong return on a $26,348 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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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 · 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.