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

14 Ranked Colleges
146 Degrees Awarded
$19,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor's in Tennessee 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 Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” 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 Tennessee, there were 203 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $16,750 and $22,225 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 146 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 14 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 14 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in Tennessee (With Aid)

#1

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $12,464 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Middle Tennessee State University

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 10 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Chattanooga, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $12,952 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Drama & Theater Arts Report

#3

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trevecca Nazarene University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. TNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TNU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend TNU is $17,499 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Trevecca Nazarene University

#4

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Tennessee State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. East Tennessee State University is a fairly large school located in Johnson City, Tennessee that handed out 12 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for ETSU is $14,332 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Full East Tennessee State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#5

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #5 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $19,432 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Vanderbilt

#6

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #6, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Memphis is $13,248 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UofM

#7

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
#11 in overall quality

Austin Peay State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Austin Peay State University is a public institution located in Clarksville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid list, Austin Peay State University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Austin Peay State University is $13,692 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

Full Austin Peay State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Henderson, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

FHU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Freed-Hardeman University is $16,703 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Freed-Hardeman University

#9

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Lee University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Lee University is a medium-sized school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 7 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Lee University also took the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $17,696 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Lee University

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. UT Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 14 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also took the #4 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $18,825 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

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 low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 UT Knoxville Drama & Theater Arts Report

#11

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Rhodes College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Rhodes College also took the #2 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rhodes College is $27,540 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Theater students with aid.

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. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, 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 87%.

Full Rhodes College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#12

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #12, Lipscomb University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lipscomb, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb is $24,749 for Tennessee 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%. 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 Lipscomb

#13

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid list, Belmont has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Belmont University is $35,548 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Belmont

#14

Visible Music College

Memphis, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Visible Music College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Visible Music College is a small school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 1 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Visible Music College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $22,807 for tennessee bachelor’s degree theater students with aid per year to attend Visible Music College.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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.

Full Visible Music College 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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