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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts in the Plains States Region

56 Ranked Colleges
632 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 11,561 people earned their degree in theater arts, making the major the 69th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 704 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 632 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 56 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Theater Arts Schools

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts in the Plains States Region

#1

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Dakota. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. USD is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 13 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USD is $18,555 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

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%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at USD

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 14 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,584 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

The low 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 North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#3

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Winona State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,656 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

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%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Winona State

#4

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Truman State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,462 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Theater Arts at Truman State University

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Marshall, Minnesota. It awarded 6 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $14,397 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

Read more about Theater Arts at Southwest Minnesota State University

#6

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $19,252 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.8% 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%.

Full South Dakota State University Theater Arts Report

#17 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized school located in Kearney, Nebraska that handed out 10 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UNK also took the #17 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $16,017 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNK Theater Arts Report

#8

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#24 in overall quality

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UND also made our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend UND is $15,738 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of North Dakota

#21 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #21 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $17,067 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#10

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,267 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at St. Cloud State University

With a ranking of #11, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,725 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

Full Missouri State Theater Arts Report

#12

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Metro State is $15,225 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Metro State

With a ranking of #13, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $16,893 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

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%.

Full MSU Moorhead Theater Arts Report

#14

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. Aberdeen, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern State University is $15,851 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Northern State University

#15

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#18 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UNI also took the #18 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $15,620 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, 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 86%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Theater Arts Report

University of Minnesota - Morris ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,412 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UMN Morris

#17

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,491 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students per year to attend Lindenwood University.

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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Lindenwood University

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $16,221 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

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 more about Theater Arts at Minnesota State Mankato

#19

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $13,677 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Central Missouri

With a ranking of #20, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 9 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,354 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

Full Northwest Theater Arts Report

#21

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Emporia State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Emporia, Kansas. It awarded 13 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend ESU is $14,822 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

Full ESU Theater Arts Report

#4 in overall quality

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 34 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,208 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 85%.

Full UNL Theater Arts Report

#23

Evangel University

Springfield, Missouri

Evangel University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. Evangel is a private not-for-profit institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Evangel is $22,837 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Theater students.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Evangel University

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $14,040 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

Read more about Theater Arts at UNOMAHA

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $16,001 for plains states region bachelor’s degree theater students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The 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 full report on Theater Arts at Mizzou

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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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