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2023 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

89 Ranked Colleges
2,424 Degrees Awarded
$8,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Theater Arts is the 70th most popular major in the country with 11,385 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Southeast region, there were 2,424 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 89 colleges that offered 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.

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.

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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 Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $-927 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

The impressive undergraduate 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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Duke University

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UF has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $2,857 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UF

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 114 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $7,349 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Florida State University

4

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #4 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #10 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $5,729 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Theater Arts Report

5
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $4,652 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, 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 96%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Vanderbilt University

6
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 7 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory University is $8,976 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Emory

7

University of North Carolina School of the Arts came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

UNCSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts is $6,948 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate 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.

Full University of North Carolina School of the Arts Theater Arts Report

8
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $10,688 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Georgia

9

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,632 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USF Tampa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Theater Arts Report

10

University of Central Florida ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 93 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCF has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $6,256 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, 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 92%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UCF

11

The University of West Florida ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of West Florida is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,827 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read more about Theater Arts at UWF

12
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #12, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $10,063 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Virginia Theater Arts Report

13

Florida International University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,882 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida International University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at FIU

14
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UK is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UK is $13,424 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Kentucky Theater Arts Report

15
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #15, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 31 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,003 for Southeast Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Virginia Tech

16
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school situated in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It awarded 64 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,947 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NKU.

Full Northern Kentucky University Theater Arts Report

17

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,190 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

18
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #18, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $10,250 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full WVU Theater Arts Report

19
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FAU is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $8,262 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full FAU Theater Arts Report

20
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #20, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $9,940 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Appalachian State University

21
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Arkansas is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 32 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UARK has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arkansas is $13,690 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, 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%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UARK

22

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 35 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University is $15,403 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

23

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $13,970 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

24
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 26 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $10,661 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Theater Arts at Middle Tennessee State University

25

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Charlotte is a large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 27 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $13,226 for southeast region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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