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

35 Ranked Colleges
951 Degrees Awarded
$12,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 Plains States region, there were 951 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,630 and $24,168 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 35 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent drama and theater arts programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Washington University in St Louis is $2,446 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Washington University in St Louis

2

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $8,609 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UMN Twin Cities

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,697 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 43 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Iowa

5
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Truman State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Truman State is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $8,898 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Truman State

6

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 19 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,386 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Missouri - Columbia

7

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 6 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,735 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 North Dakota State University

8

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $13,175 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 UNI

9
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. St Olaf College is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 15 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf also took the #13 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $11,138 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St Olaf College Drama & Theater Arts Report

10
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

With a ranking of #10, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $13,008 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Lindenwood University Drama & Theater Arts Report

11

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,453 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UNL

12

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UMKC also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $13,751 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Missouri - Kansas City

13

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,294 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 UNOMAHA

14

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 60 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Missouri State University - Springfield Drama & Theater Arts Report

15
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Winona State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,963 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Winona State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Winona State

16

Missouri Southern State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri Southern is a small school located in Joplin, Missouri that handed out 16 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern State University is $7,731 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Missouri Southern Drama & Theater Arts Report

17
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $16,288 for plains states region 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%. 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 University of Kansas

18

With a ranking of #18, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 9 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,194 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Minnesota State University - Moorhead

19
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 16 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,120 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Central Missouri.

Full University of Central Missouri Drama & Theater Arts Report

20

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,263 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Minnesota State University - Mankato

21
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $14,653 for Plains States Region 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Kansas State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

22
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #22, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,825 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Saint Cloud State University

23

Emporia State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emporia State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Emporia, Kansas. It awarded 10 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,971 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ESU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at ESU

24
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Webster University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 50 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Webster also took the #5 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Webster University is $20,039 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Webster University Drama & Theater Arts Report

25

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SMU MN is $16,493 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Drama & Theater Arts Report

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