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2022 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

21 Ranked Colleges
479 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” 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.

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 $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in theater arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theater arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the theater arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The theater school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k”.

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. 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 in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 104 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $16,784 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Theater Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 14 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

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. It costs about $18,928 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read more about Theater Arts at SIUE

#3

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $19,147 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Eastern Illinois University

#4

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

NIU also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $21,425 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Theater Arts at NIU

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 48 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $21,998 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. 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 full report on Theater Arts at UIUC

#6

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Millikin University is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Millikin also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin University is $23,486 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on Theater Arts at Millikin

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, SIUC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $20,698 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 78 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $25,379 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The 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 full report on Theater Arts at Illinois State

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $20,270 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Illinois at Chicago

#10

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 14 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $20,181 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full WIU Theater Arts Report

#11

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. North Park is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

North Park also took the #16 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,563 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend North Park.

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.

Full North Park Theater Arts Report

#12

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Rock Island, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $23,730 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low 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%. 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 Augustana

#13

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also took the #17 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $23,604 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Elmhurst.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Elmhurst University

#14

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Bradley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $28,169 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Bradley University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 86%.

Full Bradley University Theater Arts Report

#15

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Knox is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Knox also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Knox College is $23,813 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%. 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 Knox Theater Arts Report

#16

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. North Central College is a small school located in Naperville, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $25,778 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 North Central College Theater Arts Report

#17

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lake Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k list, Lake Forest has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $30,189 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Lake Forest.

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 Lake Forest College

#18

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Columbia College Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Columbia is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Columbia also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia is $33,864 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Theater Arts at Columbia

#19

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Bloomington, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan is $27,302 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, 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 87%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University

#20

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 15 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend DePaul is $30,877 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at DePaul

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 27 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Chicago is $36,700 for illinois theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low 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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Loyola Chicago

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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