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2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

38 Ranked Colleges
3,040 Degrees Awarded
$18,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 California, there were 3,040 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,344 and $18,964 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 38 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 California For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 California For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $75-$110k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 122 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $12,977 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Fullerton

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $20,697 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Drama & Theater Arts Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $10,011 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 Cal State LA

4

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $18,728 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

Full UC Davis Drama & Theater Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $21,601 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Berkeley

6

University of California - Irvine landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $20,567 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

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 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Irvine Drama & Theater Arts Report

7

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 81 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also took the #19 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,101 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSULB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Drama & Theater Arts Report

8

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UCSD also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $20,906 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - San Diego Drama & Theater Arts Report

9

California State University - Fresno ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $12,789 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno State Drama & Theater Arts Report

10

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,338 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 CSUSB Drama & Theater Arts Report

11

California State University - Northridge ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,380 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

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%.

Full CSUN Drama & Theater Arts Report

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $18,957 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at San Diego State University

13

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $11,085 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.

Full CSUDH Drama & Theater Arts Report

14

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $21,581 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UCSB

15

California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $16,925 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Sacramento

16
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, San Jose State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $21,035 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 86%.

Full San Jose State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

17

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 34 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $18,166 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Drama & Theater Arts Report

18
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $32,363 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Southern California.

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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at USC

19
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $20,159 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full San Francisco State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

20

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $22,744 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

21

California State University - East Bay came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $18,874 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Cal State East Bay

22

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $12,642 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Drama & Theater Arts Report

23

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $22,380 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

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 85%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Drama & Theater Arts Report

24

California State University - Chico landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,708 for California Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Chico.

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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Chico

25
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

With a ranking of #25, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. SSU is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

SSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sonoma State University is $22,254 for california theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at SSU

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