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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

20 Ranked Colleges
194 Degrees Awarded
$26,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 the Great Lakes region, there were 2,373 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,381 and $25,614 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 194 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the drama and theater arts 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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Drama & Theater Arts Report

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW - Madison Drama & Theater Arts Report

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UIUC

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Purdue University - Main Campus

#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #5 spot on the list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #4 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Indiana University - Bloomington

#7 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Drama & Theater Arts Report

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#8

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 16 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Wayne State University

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

NIU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at NIU

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Miami University - Oxford

#11

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 3 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Drama & Theater Arts Report

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

WIU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Illinois University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#15

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Eastern Michigan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Eastern Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan University are $26,552, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Eastern Michigan

#14 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 6 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Kent State University at Kent

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens also took the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at OHIO Athens

#18

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Roosevelt

#19

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Columbia College Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $2,350, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Columbia

#20

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

DePaul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at DePaul

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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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