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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k)

26 Ranked Colleges
59 Degrees Awarded
$34,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 11,561 people earned their degree in theater arts, making the major the 69th most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 59 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in theater arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great 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 theater arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Theater Arts Schools

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 Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theater degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read more about Theater Arts at Stanford

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theater degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theater Arts at Northwestern

#3

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cornell University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 1 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cornell has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell Theater Arts Report

#4

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brown University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also took the #7 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Brown

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#6

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theater Arts at Florida State

#7

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Tufts University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Medford, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Tufts also made our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168.

Full Tufts University Theater Arts Report

#8

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Theater Arts Report

#9

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Theater Arts Report

#10

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#8 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UC Berkeley

#15 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle also took the #15 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#4 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about Theater Arts at Columbia

#14 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Ohio State

#10 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’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 Theater Arts Report

#15

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #18 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UCSB

#23 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s theater degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full ASU - Tempe Theater Arts Report

#17

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#22 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UH Manoa is a fairly large school located in Honolulu, Hawaii that handed out 3 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa also made our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UH Manoa

#21 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 1 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also made our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Missouri - Columbia

#25 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Louisiana State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University are $29,970, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Louisiana State University

#20

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
#16 in overall quality

University of Colorado Boulder came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Colorado Boulder is a large public school situated in Boulder, Colorado. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, CU - Boulder has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Colorado Boulder are $32,980, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CU - Boulder Theater Arts Report

#21

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of Oregon did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Oregon is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Oregon Theater Arts Report

#22

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Wayne State University

#23

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#17 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

KU also made our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theater Arts at KU

#24 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BGSU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823.

Read more about Theater Arts at BGSU

#20 in overall quality

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt also made our “Best Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus are $40,836, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

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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