2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois 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. 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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
In 2019-2020, 18,124 people earned their degree in drama and theater arts, making the major the 59th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, drama and theater arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $21,403 and had an average of $26,932 in loans still to pay off.
Across Illinois, there were 844 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,300 and $27,875 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the drama and theater arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $48-$75k) in 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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 118 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
Northwestern also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $6,452 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwestern University.
The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $7,934 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 48 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $13,351 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Drama & Theater Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 14 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $13,705 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
EIU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $13,560 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.
NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $18,346 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Northern Illinois University Drama & Theater Arts Report
With a ranking of #7, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 78 students in 2019-2020.
Illinois State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $19,080 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,683 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Chicago Drama & Theater Arts Report
With a ranking of #9, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 14 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,985 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Millikin University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Millikin University is a small school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 30 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
Millikin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $20,390 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Millikin University.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
With a ranking of #11, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Rock Island, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.
Augustana also took the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $21,453 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Augustana College.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.
WIU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $15,912 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
North Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. North Park University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
North Park did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,813 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Park University.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Lake Forest College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, Lake Forest has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest College is $24,683 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low 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%.
Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Elmhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Elmhurst also took the #18 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst University is $19,703 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Bradley University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.
Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $22,865 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Bradley.
The low 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 86%.
Knox College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Knox is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
Knox did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Knox is $19,653 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low 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%.
With a ranking of #18, North Central College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Naperville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
North Central also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $23,353 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low 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%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at North Central College
Roosevelt University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Roosevelt is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 59 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
Roosevelt also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt University is $21,870 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Roosevelt University
With a ranking of #20, Columbia College Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 169 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.
Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $31,071 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Columbia.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Columbia College Chicago
With a ranking of #21, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Illinois Wesleyan is located in Bloomington, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
Illinois Wesleyan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan University is $23,309 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University
DePaul University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 90 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePaul, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $28,075 for illinois theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend DePaul University.
The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.
Loyola Chicago also took the #5 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Chicago is $32,259 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Donald Judge.
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