2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 California, there were 3,227 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $20,531 and $31,651 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 13 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,544 and $133,402 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking analyzed 4 colleges that offered 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools

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 Doctorate in California” 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. 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 Doctorate in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California.

Top 5 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in California

#1

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

#3 in overall quality

$28,131 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Out of the 4 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCLA Drama & Theater Arts Report

#2

University of California - Davis

Davis, California

#4 in overall quality

$28,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s theater students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree theater students list, UC Davis has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#3

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

#2 in overall quality

$29,347 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s theater students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree theater students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UC Berkeley

#4

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

#5 in overall quality

$28,670 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UCSB also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UCSB

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California

#1 in overall quality

$55,011 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate in California. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Doctor’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 Stanford are $55,011.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Stanford University

• Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Far Western US Region
• Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts

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

• Credit for the banner image above goes to Donald Judge.

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