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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California

20 Ranked Colleges
363 Degrees Awarded
$27,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Drama & Theater Arts is the 59th most popular major in the country with 18,124 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 California, there were 3,227 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $20,531 and $31,651 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 363 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 20 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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 20 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #1 spot on the list. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Irvine

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Los Angeles

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 11 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - Los Angeles

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 15 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Fullerton

#5

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 13 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at SDSU

California State University - Northridge ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 8 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #15 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Northridge

University of California - Berkeley came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Drama & Theater Arts Report

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at CSULB

University of California - San Diego landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - San Diego

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UC Davis

#11

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #11, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Southern California

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Full San Francisco State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#13

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - Santa Cruz

#14

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#16 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Azusa Pacific

#15

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#11 in overall quality

Pepperdine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Malibu, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Pepperdine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine are $36,320, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Pepperdine

#16

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Marymount also took the #6 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756.

Full Loyola Marymount Drama & Theater Arts Report

#17

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chapman is a medium-sized school located in Orange, California that handed out 18 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Chapman also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Chapman University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#18

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Valencia, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 30 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

CalArts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CalArts are $53,466.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at California Institute of the Arts

#19

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Academy of Art University is a private for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Academy of Art University has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Academy of Art University

#20

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California

New York Film Academy did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Burbank, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 58 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

New York Film Academy also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at New York Film Academy

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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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