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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Theater Arts in Illinois

36 Ranked Colleges
458 Degrees Awarded
$28,100 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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

Across Illinois, there were 458 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in theater arts. That schools that top this list have a program in theater arts in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 “Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois” 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. 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.

Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Theater Arts in Illinois

1
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Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Millikin University landed the #1 spot on the list. Millikin is a small school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 35 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate 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.

Read more about Theater Arts at Millikin University

2
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Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Principia College landed the #2 spot on the list. Principia is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elsah, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Principia Theater Arts Report

3
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Knox College
Galesburg, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Knox College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

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%. The undergraduate 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.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Knox College

4
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Eureka College
Eureka, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Eureka College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Eureka, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Eureka College Theater Arts Report

5
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North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Central College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full North Central College Theater Arts Report

6
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Lincoln College
Lincoln, Illinois

Lincoln College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #6. Lincoln College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lincoln, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Theater Arts at Lincoln College

7
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Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

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

8
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Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #8. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 106 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Northwestern University

9
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Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Full Columbia College Chicago Theater Arts Report

10
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Blackburn College
Carlinville, Illinois

Blackburn College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking. Blackburn College is a small school located in Carlinville, Illinois that handed out 1 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Theater Arts at Blackburn

11

Northern Illinois University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 43 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Theater Arts at Northern Illinois University

12
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Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking. Augustana is located in Rock Island, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad 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%.

Full Augustana College Theater Arts Report

13
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Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

Monmouth College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #13. Monmouth is a private not-for-profit institution located in Monmouth, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Monmouth College Theater Arts Report

14
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Rockford University
Rockford, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Rockford University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. Located in Rockford, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Theater Arts at Rockford University

15
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Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking. Illinois Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bloomington, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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

16

Western Illinois University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 11 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Theater Arts at Western Illinois University

17
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. Jacksonville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Theater Arts at Illinois College

18

With a ranking of #18, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

19
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Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Eastern Illinois University

20
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Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

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 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 Bradley

21
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Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Elmhurst Theater Arts Report

22
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Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 16 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, 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 Loyola Chicago

23

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #23. 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.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIUC Theater Arts Report

24
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Concordia University, Chicago

25
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Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Dominican University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theater Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 full report on Theater Arts at Dominican U

Notes and References

References

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