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2023 Best Value Colleges for Musical Theater

56 Ranked Colleges
995 Degrees Awarded
$19,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Musical Theatre Schools

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Musical Theatre Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 995 people earned their degree in musical theater, making the major the 426th most popular in the United States.

For this year’s “Best Value Musical Theatre Schools” ranking, we looked at 56 colleges that offer a degree in musical theater. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality musical theater programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the musical theater program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Musical Theatre Schools” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Musical Theatre Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Musical Theatre Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Musical Theater

1
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Michigan University landed the #1 spot on the list. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 10 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Musical Theater Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $20,371 for Musical Theatre students.

Read full report on Musical Theater at WMU

2
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Purchase College
Purchase, New York

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Purchase College landed the #2 spot on the list. Purchase College is a small public school situated in Purchase, New York. It awarded 17 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

Purchase College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Purchase College is $17,701 for musical theatre students.

Full Purchase College Musical Theater Report

3
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Michigan University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 7 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $16,007 for Musical Theatre students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan Musical Theater Report

4
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s musical theatre degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

Texas State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $14,887 for musical theatre students.

Read full report on Musical Theater at Texas State

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Texas A&M University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. West Texas A&M University is a public institution located in Canyon, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,033 for Musical Theatre students per year to attend West Texas A&M University.

Read more about Musical Theater at West Texas A&M University

6
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SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York

SUNY Fredonia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. Located in Fredonia, New York, this small public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified ’s musical theatre students in 2020-2021.

SUNY Fredonia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend SUNY Fredonia is $14,378 for Musical Theatre students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Musical Theater at SUNY Fredonia

7

Kent State University at Kent came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Kent State is $19,117 for musical theatre students.

Read more about Musical Theater at Kent State

8

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. University of Central Oklahoma is a fairly large school located in Edmond, Oklahoma that handed out 15 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Central Oklahoma is $17,339 for musical theatre students.

Read more about Musical Theater at University of Central Oklahoma

9

Sam Houston State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sam Houston State University is $15,035 for musical theatre students.

Read more about Musical Theater at Sam Houston State University

10
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University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

With a ranking of #10, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. University of Central Missouri is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 5 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UCM is $14,058 for Musical Theatre students.

Read more about Musical Theater at University of Central Missouri

11

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 5 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,680 for musical theatre students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Musical Theater Report

12
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Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. Webster is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 16 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

Webster did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Webster is $23,248 for musical theatre students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Musical Theater at Webster

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Oklahoma also took the #22 spot in our “Best Musical Theater Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma is $21,122 for musical theatre students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Musical Theater at University of Oklahoma

14

Weber State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. Located in Ogden, Utah, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s musical theatre students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WSU is $11,647 for musical theatre students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Musical Theater at Weber State University

15
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Liberty University is $29,382 for Musical Theatre students.

Full Liberty University Musical Theater Report

16

University of Alabama at Birmingham came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. UAB is located in Birmingham, Alabama and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s musical theatre degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,530 for Musical Theatre students per year to attend UAB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Alabama at Birmingham Musical Theater Report

17
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Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 13 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,449 for Musical Theatre students per year to attend Oakland.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland Musical Theater Report

18
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Stephens College
Columbia, Missouri

Stephens College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. Stephens is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 4 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Stephens College is $22,460 for Musical Theatre students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Musical Theater at Stephens College

19
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

With a ranking of #19, Central Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. Central Washington University is a public institution located in Ellensburg, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CWU is $16,514 for musical theatre students.

Full CWU Musical Theater Report

20
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. Temple is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s musical theatre degrees to qualified students.

Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. It costs about $23,888 for Musical Theatre students per year to attend Temple University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Musical Theater at Temple University

21

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking, coming in at #21. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s musical theatre degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts is $23,070 for musical theatre students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Musical Theater at KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts

22
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s musical theatre degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia is $26,258 for Musical Theatre students.

Full Columbia Musical Theater Report

23
University at Buffalo crest
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

University at Buffalo came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. Located in Buffalo, New York, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s musical theatre students in 2020-2021.

University at Buffalo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University at Buffalo is $19,262 for musical theatre students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University at Buffalo Musical Theater Report

24

With a ranking of #24, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 12 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $16,218 for Musical Theatre students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Musical Theater at California State University - Chico

25
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Virginia

Shenandoah University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Musical Theatre Schools ranking. Located in Winchester, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s musical theatre students in 2020-2021.

Shenandoah not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Musical Theater Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Shenandoah is $30,878 for musical theatre students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Musical Theater at Shenandoah University

Notes and References

References

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