2026 Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Drama And Theater Arts doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1121 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Drama And Theater Arts Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Cuny Graduate School And University Center, our #1 best-value Drama And Theater Arts school in the United States. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,921. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,991. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on this year's best-value Drama And Theater Arts ranking in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,121 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin has an acceptance rate of 27%. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
You'll get strong value at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,112 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. University Of California Berkeley alumni report median earnings of $92,446 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,112 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #4 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Bowling Green State University Main Campus Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $25,250 in debt. Median earnings reach $47,896 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report
You'll get strong value at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $16,970. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,511 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. University Of California Davis alumni report median earnings of $80,838 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. University Of California Davis has an acceptance rate of 42%. More on University Of California Davis
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,852 in student loans. University Of California Santa Barbara alumni report median earnings of $74,915 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara has an acceptance rate of 33%. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. University Of Missouri Columbia alumni report median earnings of $63,403 a decade after entry. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Georgia came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $19,399. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Florida State University placed #11 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,675. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Florida State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California San Diego placed #13 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $14,650. University Of California San Diego alumni report median earnings of $84,943 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. About 27% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of California San Diego
University Of Kansas came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $23,608. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. Read more about University Of Kansas
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,606 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #16 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus alumni report median earnings of $66,125 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,860. That is a strong return on a $20,681 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
New York University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $21,762. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,509. That is a strong return on a $21,762 median debt. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. More on New York University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $15,638 in debt. Median earnings reach $78,466 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,638 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus has an acceptance rate of 39%. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Oregon ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. University Of Oregon is a public school based in Eugene, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,324 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Oregon
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,251 ten years after entry. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $22,000. Median earnings reach $63,742 ten years out. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
Northwestern University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Northwestern University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $17,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $89,363 ten years out. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 8% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Northwestern University
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,409. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Drama And Theater Arts Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $20,577. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Tufts University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,074. Tufts University alumni report median earnings of $83,214 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%. More on Tufts University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $23,258. Median earnings reach $102,491 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Brown University placed #29 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Brown University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $13,025 in debt. Median earnings reach $93,487 ten years out. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants. Get the full Brown University report
Bucknell University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Bucknell University
Centenary College Of Louisiana placed #31 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Get the full Centenary College Of Louisiana report
Dickinson College placed #32 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Read more about Dickinson College
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #33 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Read more about Florida Gulf Coast University
Lynn University
Lynn University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. Read more about Lynn University
Mcdaniel College
Mcdaniel College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on Mcdaniel College
Parkland College
Parkland College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Parkland College report
Southeastern Illinois College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Southeastern Illinois College
Suny College At Cortland came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Suny College At Cortland
Dakota Wesleyan University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Dakota Wesleyan University report
Loyola University Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Loyola University Chicago profile
Murray State University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Murray State University
Occidental College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Occidental College profile
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Suffolk County Community College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Suffolk County Community College
West Los Angeles College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about West Los Angeles College
Baldwin Wallace College placed #46 among the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. More on Baldwin Wallace College
Belhaven University landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Belhaven University profile
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Glendale Community College Glendale Az profile
Manhattan School Of Music offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Manhattan School Of Music
Ohio University Zanesville Campus ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drama And Theater Arts schools. Read the full report on Ohio University Zanesville Campus
Related Drama And Theater Arts Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Drama And Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1121 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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