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2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

71 Ranked Colleges
2,364 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Great Lakes region, there were 2,364 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,388 and $25,089 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 71 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.

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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 124 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $5,849 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national 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. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Northwestern Drama & Theater Arts Report

2

Out of the 71 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 72 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $10,481 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

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

Full Purdue Drama & Theater Arts Report

4
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Notre Dame is $14,020 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 9 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 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Notre Dame Drama & Theater Arts Report

5

Out of the 71 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $10,364 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UW - Madison

6

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 60 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #8 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $12,369 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 91%.

Full IU Bloomington Drama & Theater Arts Report

7

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 43 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $11,505 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

8
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 23 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $12,008 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Oakland

9

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 41 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ohio State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Ohio State University - Main Campus

10

Sinclair Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $6,283 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Sinclair Community College Drama & Theater Arts Report

11

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $14,105 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full UIC Drama & Theater Arts Report

12

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 36 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UW - Stevens Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $13,560 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

13

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $13,198 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - La Crosse Drama & Theater Arts Report

14
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ball State is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,158 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ball State.

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%.

Full Ball State Drama & Theater Arts Report

15
UE crest
University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana

University of Evansville ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UE is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 31 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Evansville is $20,890 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, 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 87%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UE

16

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC is $20,867 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Drama & Theater Arts Report

17
Kenyon crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio

Kenyon College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Gambier, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Kenyon is $20,727 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Kenyon

18

University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,528 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

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%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Drama & Theater Arts Report

19

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $14,737 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UW - Eau Claire

20
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 17 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,720 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Central Michigan.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Central Michigan University

21

Indiana University - South Bend landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in South Bend, Indiana, and it awarded 10 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $10,840 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Indiana University - South Bend

22
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 46 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $13,612 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Wayne State Drama & Theater Arts Report

23

Illinois State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 68 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $19,293 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Illinois State.

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 Illinois State University

24

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $12,950 for great lakes region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at SIUE

25
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $14,547 for Great Lakes Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Eastern Michigan University Drama & Theater Arts Report

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