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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income Over $110k) in California

20 Ranked Colleges
363 Degrees Awarded
$27,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making Over $110k

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

Drama & Theater Arts is the 59th most popular major in the country with 18,124 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in drama and theater arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality drama and theater arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 20 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income Over $110k) in California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 1 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #4 spot on the list. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Diego State University landed the #5 spot on the list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #9 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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full SDSU Drama & Theater Arts Report

#2 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 20 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #2 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 University of California - Irvine are $28,456.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UC Irvine

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

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 UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCLA Drama & Theater Arts Report

#8

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #8. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #17 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 San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at SFSU

University of California - San Diego ranked #9 on this year’s Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 26 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #4 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 UCSD are $28,631.

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

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #7 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 UC Davis are $28,700.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Davis

#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

University of California - Berkeley ranked #11 on this year’s Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #0 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Berkeley

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #13 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 University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Santa Cruz

#13

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#16 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 2 masters’s theater 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 University are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Azusa Pacific University

#14

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Academy of Art University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#15

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#11 in overall quality

Pepperdine University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Malibu, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pepperdine, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine University are $36,320, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Pepperdine University

#16

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 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 USC are $48,715.

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

#17

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. Loyola Marymount is a medium-sized school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 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 University are $19,756, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Loyola Marymount University

#18

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #18. Orange, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chapman, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman are $35,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Chapman University

#19

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #19. California Institute of the Arts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valencia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CalArts

#20

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California

New York Film Academy did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. New York Film Academy is a private for-profit institution located in Burbank, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 58 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

New York Film Academy also took the #18 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 New York Film Academy are $35,457.

Full New York Film Academy Drama & Theater Arts Report

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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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