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2023 Best Musical Theater Colleges for Veterans in the Great Lakes Region

12 Ranked Colleges
207 Degrees Awarded
$32,000 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre

Veterans 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 “Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre” 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 207 musical theater graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre” ranking analyzed 12 colleges that offered a degree in musical theater. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent musical theater programs, but they also offer a lot of support to veterans and active service members.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the musical theater program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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The musical theatre school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region vets studying musical theatre.

Top 12 Best Musical Theater Colleges for Veterans in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 19 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 47,907 students enrolled at U-M, 570 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 325 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $27,058. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at U-M]](/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/student-life/veterans/)

2
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Michigan University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre list. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s musical theatre degrees to qualified students.

WMU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 19,887 students enrolled at Western Michigan University, 584 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 327 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,981. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Western Michigan University Veteran Student Life Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre. Bloomington, Indiana 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.

IU Bloomington also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Indiana University - Bloomington supports 43,064 students, and 1 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 0 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Indiana University - Bloomington does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 veteran student life at IU Bloomington]](/colleges/indiana-university-bloomington/student-life/veterans/)

4
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia College Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre list. Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region vets studying musical theatre list, Columbia has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 140 of the 6,769 students enrolled at Columbia College Chicago were GI Bill® students, of which 98 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $17,151. To help with additional expenses, 25 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

5
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Out of the 12 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Michigan University landed the #5 spot on the list. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 7 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 17,311 students enrolled at Central Michigan were GI Bill® students, of which 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $425. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Central Michigan offers credit for military training for eligible students.

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

[Read full report on veteran student life at Central Michigan]](/colleges/central-michigan-university/student-life/veterans/)

6
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre ranking. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s musical theatre degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

North Central also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 2,832 students enrolled at North Central College, 46 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 32 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $19,214. In addition to receiving other benefits, 15 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

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

Full North Central Veteran Student Life Report

7
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre list. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 13 ’s musical theatre degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Oakland University supports 18,552 students, and 323 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 197 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,271. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 veteran student life at Oakland]](/colleges/oakland-university/student-life/veterans/)

8
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

Otterbein University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre ranking. Otterbein is a private not-for-profit institution located in Westerville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region vets studying musical theatre list, Otterbein has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 2,652 students enrolled at Otterbein, 58 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,115. In addition to receiving other benefits, 17 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 Otterbein Veteran Student Life Report

9
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre ranking, coming in at #9. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s musical theatre degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 95 of the 4,680 students enrolled at Roosevelt University were GI Bill® students, of which 43 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,071. On top of their other funding sources, 20 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Roosevelt University Veteran Student Life Report

10
Illinois Wesleyan crest
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre ranking. Bloomington, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s musical theatre degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Wesleyan, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 5 of the 1,636 students enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan University were GI Bill® students, of which 4 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $19,755. In addition to receiving other benefits, 1 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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…

11

Anderson University Indiana did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre ranking, coming in at #11. Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Anderson, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Anderson University Indiana not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 23 of the 1,406 students enrolled at Anderson University Indiana were GI Bill® students, of which 14 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,536. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Anderson University Indiana does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read More…

12
Millikin crest
Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Musical Theatre ranking. Millikin is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s musical theatre degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millikin, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 1,982 students enrolled at Millikin University, 24 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 20 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,013. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Millikin University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Millikin Veteran Student Life Report

Notes and References

References

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