Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Drama & Theater Arts

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

21 Ranked Colleges
363 Degrees Awarded
$27,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 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 Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 21 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree theater students with aid.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in California (With Aid)

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students with aid list, Cal State LA has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Cal State LA

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Irvine

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 8 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #15 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 CSUN are $17,955.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSUN

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #4 spot on the list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Cal State Fullerton

#5

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. 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.

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

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSULB

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 11 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UCLA

University of California - San Diego came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 26 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

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 University of California - Davis

#10

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students with aid list, SFSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Francisco State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 1 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #0 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 Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - Berkeley

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UC Santa Cruz

#13

National University

La Jolla, California

With a ranking of #13, National University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

National University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 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 National University are $15,480.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at National University

#14

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#16 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 masters’s 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 are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Azusa Pacific University

#15

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree theater students with aid list, USC has also earned the #1 rank 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 Southern California are $48,715.

Full USC Drama & Theater Arts Report

#16

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 42 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Academy of Art University

#17

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Valencia, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

CalArts also took the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at CalArts

#18

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Los Angeles, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Loyola Marymount

#19

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#11 in overall quality

Pepperdine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Malibu, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine are $36,320.

Full Pepperdine University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#20

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Chapman is located in Orange, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Chapman also took the #8 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 Chapman University are $35,105.

Full Chapman University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#21

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California

New York Film Academy ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. New York Film Academy is located in Burbank, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

New York Film Academy also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. 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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Theater Schools

Find Schools Near You