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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts

130 Ranked Colleges
1,684 Degrees Awarded
$16,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Master's

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s” 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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,684 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s” ranking analyzed 130 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.

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.

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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 for a Master’s” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to 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 Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts

#1

Stephens College

Columbia, Missouri
$9,165 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stephens College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s. This small school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 14 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stephens College are $9,165, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Stephens College

#2

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$2,350 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia College Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 12 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Chicago are $2,350, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Columbia

#3

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
$11,069 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$29,685 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 7 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Illinois State

#4

Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, Minnesota
$8,788 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Minnesota State Mankato

#5

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
$12,637 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Dakota. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Dakota are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of South Dakota Drama & Theater Arts Report

#6

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas
#15 in overall quality
$22,886 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$50,231 Average Early-Career Earnings

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 15 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Austin Drama & Theater Arts Report

#7

Bob Jones University

Greenville, South Carolina
$9,573 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Bob Jones University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Greenville, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bob Jones University are $9,573, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Bob Jones University

#8

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
Top 25% in overall quality
$19,756 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$19,227 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #8, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 14 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Loyola Marymount University

#9

Hollins University

Roanoke, Virginia
$18,005 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Hollins University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Roanoke, Virginia. It awarded 14 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Hollins are $18,005, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Hollins University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#10

Towson University

Towson, Maryland
$18,972 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Towson University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Towson University are $18,972, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Towson

#10

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
$17,052 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$46,673 Average Early-Career Earnings

Regent University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #10. Regent University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 32 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Regent are $17,052, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Regent

#12

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#18 in overall quality
$26,707 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$39,369 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #12, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Florida State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Florida State

#13

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
$18,689 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$38,289 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Houston landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689.

Full UH Drama & Theater Arts Report

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
$11,996 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$26,353 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #14, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WIU Drama & Theater Arts Report

#15

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
$17,530 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$38,829 Average Early-Career Earnings

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Texas Tech University

#16

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
$16,571 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 2 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Azusa Pacific University

#17

Point Park University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$17,748 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$35,060 Average Early-Career Earnings

Point Park University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 12 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Point Park University are $17,748, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Point Park

#18

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
$17,040 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Texas State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. Texas State is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 7 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#19

Ohio University - Athens Campus

Athens, Ohio
$17,712 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$36,848 Average Early-Career Earnings

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at OHIO Athens

#20

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#20 in overall quality
$28,794 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Purdue University - Main Campus

#21

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
$19,760 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$26,353 Average Early-Career Earnings

DePaul University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760.

Full DePaul Drama & Theater Arts Report

#22

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
$11,086 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$41,193 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #22, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 2 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Northern Illinois University

#23

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada
$21,962 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962.

Full University of Nevada - Las Vegas Drama & Theater Arts Report

#24

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#22 in overall quality
$27,613 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$33,993 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Iowa ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s theater degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Iowa Drama & Theater Arts Report

#25

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton, Virginia
$13,140 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees
$26,585 Average Early-Career Earnings

Mary Baldwin University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Master’s ranking. Mary Baldwin is a small school located in Staunton, Virginia that handed out 21 masters’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Mary Baldwin University are $13,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Mary Baldwin

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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