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2023 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Plains States Region

35 Ranked Colleges
951 Degrees Awarded
$17,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region

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 the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 17,341 people earned their degree in drama and theater arts, making the major the 59th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, drama and 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 the Plains States region, there were 951 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,630 and $24,168 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 35 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the drama and theater arts program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region theater students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for plains states region 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at North Dakota State University

2
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Lindenwood University landed the #2 spot on the list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for Plains States Region Theater students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Lindenwood University Drama & Theater Arts Report

3
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Dakota landed the #3 spot on the list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,389 for Plains States Region Theater students per year to attend USD.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at USD

4

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for Plains States Region Theater students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNI Drama & Theater Arts Report

5
Stephens crest
Stephens College
Columbia, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stephens College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Stephens also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Stephens is $22,460 for plains states region theater students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%.

Full Stephens College Drama & Theater Arts Report

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $17,634 for Plains States Region Theater students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Winona State University

7

With a ranking of #7, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,718 for Plains States Region Theater students per year to attend Missouri State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Missouri State University - Springfield

8

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $18,505 for plains states region theater students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Minnesota - Duluth

9
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Truman State University is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,301 for plains states region theater students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. 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 Truman State

10
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,578 for Plains States Region Theater students per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at South Dakota State University

11
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

With a ranking of #11, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region list. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for plains states region theater students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Central Missouri

12

With a ranking of #12, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region list. MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $17,680 for plains states region theater students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at MSU Moorhead

13

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region 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%.

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

14
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Webster also took the #5 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $23,248 for plains states region theater students per year to attend Webster University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Webster University

15

University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 6 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,099 for Plains States Region Theater students per year to attend UNK.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 UNK Drama & Theater Arts Report

16

Emporia State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region list. ESU is a medium-sized public school situated in Emporia, Kansas. It awarded 10 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Emporia State University is $14,794 for Plains States Region Theater students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Emporia State University

17
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 43 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Theater students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Iowa

18

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 35 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region theater students per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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 85%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

19

Minneapolis Community and Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,908 for plains states region theater students per year to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Full Minneapolis Community and Technical College Drama & Theater Arts Report

20
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $20,257 for plains states region theater students.

The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Kansas

21
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

K -State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $18,433 for plains states region theater students.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, 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 K -State

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region Theater students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 UNOMAHA Drama & Theater Arts Report

23
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region theater students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 St. Cloud State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

24

Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

Concordia College Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $23,189 for Plains States Region Theater students per year to attend Concordia College Moorhead.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Concordia College Moorhead

25

With a ranking of #25, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region theater students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

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