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2022 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $75-$110k) in the Southwest Region

45 Ranked Colleges
1,377 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 the Southwest region, there were 1,377 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,362 and $23,453 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 45 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k”.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k

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

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $11,400 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UT Rio Grande Valley

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 55 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Austin is $20,454 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UT Austin

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Woman’s University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k. This fairly large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, TWU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,134 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Texas Woman’s University.

Full Texas Woman’s University Drama & Theater Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k. USAO is a public institution located in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is $13,793 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at USAO

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at El Paso. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,123 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UTEP.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UTEP

#6

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

With a ranking of #6, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. CNM is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Central New Mexico Community College is $7,646 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Central New Mexico Community College

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 62 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UNT also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $21,613 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of North Texas.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Texas Drama & Theater Arts Report

#8

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 60 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, University of Arizona has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $20,200 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Arizona.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Arizona Drama & Theater Arts Report

#9

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

With a ranking of #9, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 150 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $19,683 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Texas State University.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Texas State

#10

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. West Texas A&M University is a public institution located in Canyon, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

West Texas A&M University also took the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $17,324 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend West Texas A&M University.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at West Texas A&M University

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Nacogdoches, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $18,653 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full SFASU Drama & Theater Arts Report

Austin Community College District ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Austin Community College District is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,596 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Full Austin Community College District Drama & Theater Arts Report

With a ranking of #13, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $12,909 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full NMSU Main Campus Drama & Theater Arts Report

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. OSU is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

OSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $18,978 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend OSU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

#15

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $18,844 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UH Drama & Theater Arts Report

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 69 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $17,373 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Arizona State University - Tempe

#17

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Texas Tech University is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 31 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech is $21,305 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Texas Tech University

#18

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #18, Northeastern State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,029 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northeastern State University.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at NSU

#19

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 55 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $19,531 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Sam Houston State University.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at SHSU

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Avondale, Arizona, and it awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Estrella Mountain Community College is $12,839 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Estrella Mountain Community College

#21

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas

With a ranking of #21, San Antonio College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $10,977 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full San Antonio College Drama & Theater Arts Report

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Portales, New Mexico, and it awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus is $13,703 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus

#23

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona

Mesa Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Mesa Community College is a public institution located in Mesa, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,789 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Mesa Community College.

Full Mesa Community College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#24

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, Texas A&M Corpus Christi has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $19,418 for southwest region theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Texas A&M Corpus Christi

#25

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,535 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northern Arizona University.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at NAU

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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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