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2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

34 Ranked Colleges
681 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

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 the Plains States 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 Plains States region, there were 681 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer 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. 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 Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 88%.

Full University of Iowa Theater Arts Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 69 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 UMN Twin Cities Theater Arts Report

3

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 5 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for plains states region theater students with aid.

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%. 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 Northern Iowa Theater Arts Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for plains states 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%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Theater Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 19 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $16,559 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Missouri - Columbia

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 35 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students with aid list, UNL has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region theater students with aid per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNL Theater Arts Report

7
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Truman State University is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,301 for plains states region theater students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Full Truman State Theater Arts Report

8
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 11 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for plains states region theater students with aid.

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 Lindenwood University

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNOMAHA is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students with aid list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,914 for plains states region theater students with aid per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Nebraska at Omaha

10

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,702 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UMKC

11
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

With a ranking of #11, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for plains states region theater students with aid.

Read more about Theater Arts at UCM

12

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State Theater Arts Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students with aid list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $18,505 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 University of Minnesota - Duluth

14

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,526 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Missouri Southern.

Full Missouri Southern State University Theater Arts Report

15
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Winona State

16
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #16, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students with aid list, KU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Kansas

17
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Kansas State University

18

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region theater students with aid.

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 Minnesota State University - Mankato

19
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #19, Webster University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Webster University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $23,248 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Webster.

The low undergrad 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 Webster University Theater Arts Report

20
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,581 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Theater Arts Report

21
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students with aid list, USD has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Dakota is $19,389 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

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 more about Theater Arts at USD

22

Emporia State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Emporia, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $14,794 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Emporia State University

23

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,680 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Theater Arts Report

24

University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. UNK is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNK is $17,099 for plains states region theater students with aid.

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%.

Full UNK Theater Arts Report

25

Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 4 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,908 for plains states region theater students with aid per year to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Read more about Theater Arts at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

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