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2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California

39 Ranked Colleges
3,040 Degrees Awarded
$14,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in California

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools in California” 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 17,341 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, drama & theater arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $23,190 and had an average of $23,522 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 3,040 drama & theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,344 and $18,964 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in California” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great drama & 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 & 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

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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 in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california theater students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 87 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for California Theater students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 University of California - Los Angeles Drama & Theater Arts Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california theater students list, CSULB has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for california theater students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Long Beach

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 122 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for California Theater students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 129 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for california theater students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UC Irvine Drama & Theater Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California list. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california theater students list, CSUN has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $8,523 for California Theater students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Drama & Theater Arts Report

6

University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 61 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california theater students list, UCSD has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for california theater students per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 UCSD Drama & Theater Arts Report

7

University of California - Berkeley came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for California Theater students.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Drama & Theater Arts Report

8
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for california theater students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at SFSU

9

University of California - Davis ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #8 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for California Theater students per year to attend University of California - Davis.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

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

10

With a ranking of #10, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California list. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for California Theater students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 95%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

11

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UCSB also took the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,252 for california theater students per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - Santa Barbara

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 64 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for California Theater students per year to attend San Diego State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at San Diego State University

13
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking, coming in at #13. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $16,542 for California Theater students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at San Jose State

14

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 25 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for California Theater students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSB Drama & Theater Arts Report

15

California State University - Sacramento ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,178 for california theater students per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Sac State Drama & Theater Arts Report

16

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for california theater students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Drama & Theater Arts Report

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California list. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 23 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,230 for california theater students per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Fresno State

18

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,930 for California Theater students per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,218 for california theater students per year to attend Chico State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Chico Drama & Theater Arts Report

20
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend National University is $20,722 for california theater students.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at National University

21
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

With a ranking of #21, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California list. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Rohnert Park, California that handed out 21 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,563 for California Theater students per year to attend SSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Sonoma State University

22
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking, coming in at #22. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california theater students.

Full Humboldt State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

22

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking, coming in at #22. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 34 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for california theater students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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 undergraduate students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Cal Poly Pomona

24
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific is $30,744 for California Theater students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Azusa Pacific

25

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Theater Schools in California ranking, coming in at #25. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 14 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,298 for California Theater students per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

Notes and References

References

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