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2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

21 Ranked Colleges
479 Degrees Awarded
$16,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Theater Arts is the 69th most popular major in the country with 11,561 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Illinois, there were 479 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in theater arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality theater arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 104 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $3,995 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theater Arts at Northwestern University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $9,938 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#4

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Illinois University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, EIU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $11,316 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Theater Arts Report

#5

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 78 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $14,999 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State.

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

Read full report on Theater Arts at Illinois State University

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 24 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $15,861 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NIU Theater Arts Report

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,185 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Theater Arts Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,306 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Theater Arts Report

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $14,526 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Theater Arts at Western Illinois University

#10

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $19,186 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Knox College.

The 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Knox College Theater Arts Report

#11

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bradley has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $18,232 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Theater Arts at Bradley University

#12

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Lake Forest also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lake Forest is $19,152 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 full report on Theater Arts at Lake Forest College

#13

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Millikin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Millikin University is a small school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 30 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $17,692 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Theater Arts at Millikin University

#14

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, North Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

North Park did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Park University is $17,270 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The 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.

Full North Park Theater Arts Report

#15

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elmhurst University is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $17,837 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elmhurst.

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

Full Elmhurst Theater Arts Report

#16

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Augustana College is a small school located in Rock Island, Illinois that handed out 16 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Augustana has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,249 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Augustana College.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Augustana College

#17

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Illinois Wesleyan is a small school located in Bloomington, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Wesleyan, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan University is $19,857 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, 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 87%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Illinois Wesleyan

#18

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, North Central College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Naperville, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $20,128 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The 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 more about Theater Arts at North Central College

#19

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia College Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 9 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $27,397 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Columbia College Chicago

#20

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

DePaul also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend DePaul University is $25,842 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at DePaul

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 27 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $29,788 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Loyola Chicago Theater Arts Report

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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