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2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

68 Ranked Colleges
1,485 Degrees Awarded
$15,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 11,385 people earned their degree in theater arts, making the major the 70th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,485 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 68 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.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region theater students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,377 for great lakes region theater students with aid per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Purdue Theater Arts Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theater students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $14,878 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at U-M

3
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 31 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Theater Arts Report

4

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theater students with aid list, UW - Madison has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,321 for great lakes region theater students with aid per year to attend UIUC.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at UIUC

6

Sinclair Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sinclair Community College is $4,959 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Sinclair Community College

7

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theater students with aid list, UIC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,214 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at UIC

8
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 106 students in 2020-2021.

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 the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,279 for great lakes region theater students with aid per year to attend Northwestern University.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, 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 more about Theater Arts at Northwestern

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and it awarded 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theater students with aid list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UW - Stevens Point

10

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,654 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

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 1.5% 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%.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Theater Arts Report

11

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UC also took the #5 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at UC

12
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $13,449 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

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 full report on Theater Arts at Oakland

13
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #13, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State University Theater Arts Report

14
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 41 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $19,058 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Michigan State Theater Arts Report

15

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

16

Indiana University - South Bend landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $9,646 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Theater Arts Report

17

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $16,845 for great lakes region theater students with aid per year to attend Ohio State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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 more about Theater Arts at Ohio State

18

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 11 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Theater Arts Report

19

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 14 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid.

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 full report on Theater Arts at UW - River Falls

20

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 9 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Green Bay is $13,092 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

21
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 7 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $16,007 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Central Michigan

22

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

23
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 68 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $20,830 for great lakes region theater students with aid.

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 full report on Theater Arts at Illinois State

24

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 7 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid per year to attend UW Oshkosh.

Full University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Theater Arts Report

25
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and it awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Eastern Michigan

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