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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

14 Ranked Colleges
146 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor's in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 18,124 people earned their degree in drama and theater arts, making the major the 59th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, drama and theater arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $21,403 and had an average of $26,932 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 203 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $16,750 and $22,225 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 146 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in drama and theater arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality drama and theater arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the drama and theater arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $3,156 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Vanderbilt University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #2 spot on the list. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Chattanooga has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Chattanooga is $8,108 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UT Chattanooga Drama & Theater Arts Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $10,224 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#4

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 22 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Middle Tennessee State University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $8,919 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Middle Tennessee State University

#5

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rhodes College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rhodes College also took the #2 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rhodes College is $16,870 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Rhodes College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#6

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
#12 in overall quality

East Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. East Tennessee State University is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 12 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,632 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ETSU.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at East Tennessee State University

#7

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. TNU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 2 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

TNU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $15,228 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Trevecca Nazarene University.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Trevecca Nazarene University

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

Freed-Hardeman University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FHU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Henderson, Tennessee. It awarded 3 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

FHU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for FHU is $13,512 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Freed-Hardeman University

#9

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Memphis is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofM has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Memphis is $10,256 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UofM

#10

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
#11 in overall quality

Austin Peay State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $10,909 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Austin Peay State University

#11

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Belmont University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Belmont also took the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Belmont is $25,980 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low 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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Belmont University

#12

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
#7 in overall quality

Lee University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Lee University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Lee University is $13,841 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Lee University

#13

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lipscomb University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 9 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Lipscomb University is $20,036 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lipscomb University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#14

Visible Music College

Memphis, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Visible Music College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Visible Music College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Visible Music College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Visible Music College is $21,073 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Visible Music College

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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