2023 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
38
Ranked Colleges
3,040
Degrees Awarded
$8,600
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 17,341 people earned their degree in drama and theater arts, making the major the 59th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, drama and theater arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $23,190 and had an average of $23,522 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 3,040 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,344 and $18,964 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in drama and theater arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent drama and theater arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the drama and theater arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The theater 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 “Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.
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. 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 in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 41 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Berkeley
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 87 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,037 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCLA.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 UCLA Drama & Theater Arts Report
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 122 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Fullerton
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - Irvine
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 61 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,823 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 UCSD
University of Southern California ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 175 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,287 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Southern California.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at USC
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State LA Drama & Theater Arts Report
University of California - Davis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #8 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Davis.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Full UC Davis Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 81 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSULB
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $10,568 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCSB Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State University - Fresno ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $3,859 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.
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 3.2% 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 Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Fresno
California State University - Northridge landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 77 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSUN
San Diego State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 64 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.
Full SDSU Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 25 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,985 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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 Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 CSUDH
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,038 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Drama & Theater Arts Report
With a ranking of #17, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,163 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.
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%.
Full Sac State Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 34 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Drama & Theater Arts Report
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $12,158 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full San Jose State Drama & Theater Arts Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,173 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 56 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,705 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Francisco State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full SFSU Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $9,975 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - East Bay Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full Stan State Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State University - Chico landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,754 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.
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%.
Full California State University - Chico Drama & Theater Arts Report
Sonoma State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 21 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
SSU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sonoma State University is $12,803 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 SSU
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