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2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

23 Ranked Colleges
762 Degrees Awarded
$17,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

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 in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 Pennsylvania, there were 762 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,598 and $26,648 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $1,938 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Pennsylvania

2
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carnegie Mellon University landed the #2 spot on the list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Carnegie Mellon is $13,608 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Carnegie Mellon University

3
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Lafayette College landed the #3 spot on the list. Lafayette is a private not-for-profit institution located in Easton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lafayette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lafayette is $12,400 for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Lafayette College Drama & Theater Arts Report

4
Muhlenberg crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Muhlenberg College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. Muhlenberg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 71 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Muhlenberg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Muhlenberg College is $21,330 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%. 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 Muhlenberg College

5
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Temple University landed the #5 spot on the list. Temple University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Temple also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Temple is $19,355 for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Temple Drama & Theater Arts Report

6

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

Northampton Community College also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Northampton County Area Community College is $8,047 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Northampton Community College

7
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. SRU is a public institution located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SRU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $15,507 for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

8
Point Park crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Point Park University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Point Park University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 66 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Point Park not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,043 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Point Park University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Point Park University

9

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 15 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pitt has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $17,691 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

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

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

10
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. HACC is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

HACC also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend HACC is $10,425 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Harrisburg Area Community College

11
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a fairly large school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 18 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCUPA, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $16,325 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, 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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at WCUPA

12

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bloomsburg has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,956 for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

13

York College of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. YCP is located in York, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

YCP also took the #19 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,893 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend YCP.

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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at YCP

14
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #14, Villanova University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Villanova University is a fairly large school located in Villanova, Pennsylvania that handed out 17 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Villanova not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Villanova is $26,460 for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. 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 Villanova

15

With a ranking of #15, California University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. California University of Pennsylvania is located in California, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Cal U also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California University of Pennsylvania is $16,063 for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at California University of Pennsylvania

16
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, Messiah University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Messiah University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Messiah not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Messiah is $19,670 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Messiah University

17
Albright crest
Albright College
Reading, Pennsylvania

Albright College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 10 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Albright not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Albright is $14,822 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Albright College

18
Susquehanna crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

Susquehanna not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Susquehanna is $18,710 for pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Susquehanna University

19
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #19, Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Millersville has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millersville University of Pennsylvania is $18,798 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Millersville

20

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. IUP is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

IUP also took the #18 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $19,003 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at IUP

21
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Duquesne University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Duquesne did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $22,219 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Duquesne.

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 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Duquesne

22
DeSales crest
DeSales University
Center Valley, Pennsylvania

DeSales University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DeSales is a private not-for-profit institution located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, DeSales has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DeSales University is $22,741 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full DeSales University Drama & Theater Arts Report

23
UArts crest
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of the Arts came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UArts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 81 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UArts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of the Arts is $35,626 for Pennsylvania Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UArts

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