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2023 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

97 Ranked Colleges
3,321 Degrees Awarded
$8,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Drama & Theater Arts is the 59th most popular major in the country with 17,341 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 $30-$48k” 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $-927 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.

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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Duke

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 68 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $2,857 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Florida

3
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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #3 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. It costs about $7,349 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Florida State

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $5,729 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

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

5
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,652 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vanderbilt.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 University Drama & Theater Arts Report

6
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emory is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

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 estimated yearly cost for Emory University is $8,976 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Emory

7

University of North Carolina School of the Arts ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNCSA is a small school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 91 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNCSA has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,948 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNCSA.

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. 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 freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of North Carolina School of the Arts Drama & Theater Arts Report

8
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $10,688 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.

Full University of Georgia Drama & Theater Arts Report

9
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 91 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $5,637 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Valencia College

10

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,632 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USF Tampa.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, 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 92%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of South Florida - Main Campus

11

University of Central Florida landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Florida is $6,256 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Central Florida

12

The University of West Florida landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UWF is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,827 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UWF.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at The University of West Florida

13
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 11 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,063 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Virginia.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Virginia

14

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend FIU is $4,882 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at FIU

15
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UK is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UK has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,424 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UK.

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

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UK

16
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $14,003 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Virginia Tech

17
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $5,947 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Northern Kentucky University

18

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 58 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $9,190 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UNC Greensboro

19
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. West Virginia University is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 38 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WVU is $10,250 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at WVU

20
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 27 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,262 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FAU.

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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Florida Atlantic University

21
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 29 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $9,940 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Appalachian State

22
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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. 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 $30-$48k list, UARK has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,690 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arkansas.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Arkansas

23

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this large public school awarded 35 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $15,403 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Louisiana State University

24

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $13,970 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 UT Knoxville Drama & Theater Arts Report

25
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Murfreesboro, 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.

The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $10,661 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Middle Tennessee State University

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