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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $48-$75k) in California

21 Ranked Colleges
363 Degrees Awarded
$27,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 California, there were 3,227 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $20,531 and $31,651 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 363 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 11 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCLA Drama & Theater Arts Report

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 20 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Irvine

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Full Cal State LA Drama & Theater Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 15 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Cal State Fullerton

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - Berkeley

California State University - Northridge ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSUN

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 9 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSULB

University of California - San Diego ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 26 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSD has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UCSD

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Davis Drama & Theater Arts Report

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 13 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at SDSU

#11

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 41 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at USC

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at SFSU

#13

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Santa Cruz Drama & Theater Arts Report

#14

National University

La Jolla, California

National University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at National University

#15

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Azusa Pacific Drama & Theater Arts Report

#16

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Pepperdine University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pepperdine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Malibu, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Pepperdine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine are $36,320.

Full Pepperdine University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#17

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CalArts is located in Valencia, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

CalArts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CalArts

#18

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #18, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 14 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Loyola Marymount

#19

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Academy of Art University also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Academy of Art University

#20

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chapman is a medium-sized school located in Orange, California that handed out 18 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Chapman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Chapman University

#21

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California

New York Film Academy did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. New York Film Academy is located in Burbank, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at New York Film Academy, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at New York Film Academy

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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.

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