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2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

97 Ranked Colleges
3,321 Degrees Awarded
$7,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 the Southeast region, there were 3,321 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,994 and $23,864 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 97 colleges that offer a degree in drama and theater arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great drama and theater arts programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 97 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $371 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Duke Drama & Theater Arts Report

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Florida is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 68 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $65 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UF Drama & Theater Arts Report

3

Out of the 97 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina School of the Arts landed the #3 spot on the list. University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a small public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 91 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNCSA has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNCSA is $5,766 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UNCSA

4
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 6 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt is $3,176 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt Drama & Theater Arts Report

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 97 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 121 students in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $4,950 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

6

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UNC Chapel Hill

7
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UGA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $8,303 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UGA

8
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #8, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Emory is a fairly large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 9 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $8,538 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, 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%. 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.

Full Emory University Drama & Theater Arts Report

9
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $12,476 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Virginia Drama & Theater Arts Report

10

University of Central Florida ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 93 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCF is $4,468 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Central Florida Drama & Theater Arts Report

11

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, 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 USF Tampa Drama & Theater Arts Report

12
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 31 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Virginia Tech Drama & Theater Arts Report

13
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Valencia College is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,942 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valencia College.

Full Valencia College Drama & Theater Arts Report

14
Converse crest
Converse College
Spartanburg, South Carolina

Converse College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Spartanburg, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Converse College is $20,672 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Converse College Drama & Theater Arts Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $3,196 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, 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 91%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at FIU

16

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Louisiana State University is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $11,318 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Louisiana State University

17

With a ranking of #17, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 58 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $7,645 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

18
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. University of Kentucky is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UK also took the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kentucky is $12,593 for southeast region 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 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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UK

19

The University of West Florida came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UWF is $4,288 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at The University of West Florida

20
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,632 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NKU.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at NKU

21
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $7,354 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Appalachian State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

22
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #22, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WVU is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend WVU is $10,014 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full WVU Drama & Theater Arts Report

23

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville also took the #23 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,433 for southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UT Knoxville

24
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 27 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend FAU is $6,726 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Florida Atlantic University

25
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. UARK is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 32 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UARK has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UARK is $12,003 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Arkansas

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