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2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

29 Ranked Colleges
595 Degrees Awarded
$23,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor's in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that 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 Pennsylvania, there were 712 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,622 and $28,540 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 595 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered 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.

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.

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 Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in Pennsylvania (With Aid)

#1

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SRU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,926 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid per year to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Drama & Theater Arts Report

#2

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. University of Pennsylvania is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 3 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $25,802 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid per year to attend UPenn.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UPenn

#3

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
#21 in overall quality

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 8 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bloomsburg, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg is $20,230 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

#4

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot on the list. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid list, WCUPA has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WCUPA is $22,495 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at WCUPA

#5

Lafayette College

Easton, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lafayette College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Lafayette is a small school located in Easton, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Lafayette did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Lafayette College is $32,551 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Lafayette College

#6

Lycoming College

Williamsport, Pennsylvania
#19 in overall quality

Lycoming College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lycoming is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Lycoming did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,580 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid per year to attend Lycoming College.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Lycoming

#7

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $19,855 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $27,938 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid per year to attend Pitt.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Pitt

#9

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
#25 in overall quality

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in California, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal U also took the #25 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal U is $18,154 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Cal U

#10

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania

Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a small public school situated in Clarion, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Clarion University of Pennsylvania is $20,011 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

#11

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Millersville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania is $23,350 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Millersville

#12

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
#17 in overall quality

Cedar Crest College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cedar Crest is a private not-for-profit institution located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cedar Crest also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $21,520 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid per year to attend Cedar Crest College.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Cedar Crest College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#13

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, Temple University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Temple University is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 74 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple also took the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $23,521 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid per year to attend Temple University.

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

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Temple University

#14

Point Park University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Point Park University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Point Park University is a small school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 76 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Point Park, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Point Park is $21,470 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Point Park

#15

Albright College

Reading, Pennsylvania

Albright College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Albright College is $19,469 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Albright

#16

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania
#18 in overall quality

York College of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. YCP is a private not-for-profit institution located in York, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

YCP also took the #18 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend York College of Pennsylvania is $20,652 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at York College of Pennsylvania

#17

Marywood University

Scranton, Pennsylvania
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Marywood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marywood, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marywood University is $22,236 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

The 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Marywood

#18

Seton Hill University

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Seton Hill University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Seton Hill, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Seton Hill is $23,620 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at Seton Hill University

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. IUP is a fairly large public school situated in Indiana, Pennsylvania. It awarded 14 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $22,448 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at IUP

#20

Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Susquehanna University is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Susquehanna did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Susquehanna is $25,724 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Susquehanna

#21

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

Messiah University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Messiah University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Messiah also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $28,141 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid per year to attend Messiah.

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

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Messiah University

#22

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 42 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $34,508 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid per year to attend Carnegie Mellon.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Carnegie Mellon Drama & Theater Arts Report

#23

Dickinson College

Carlisle, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Dickinson College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Dickinson is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Dickinson also took the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson College is $29,452 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Dickinson College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#24

Muhlenberg College

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Muhlenberg College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Muhlenberg is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 75 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Muhlenberg, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Muhlenberg is $27,285 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Muhlenberg College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#25

DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

DeSales University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 38 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

DeSales not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $28,309 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid per year to attend DeSales.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at DeSales

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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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