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2023 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in New York

45 Ranked Colleges
2,842 Degrees Awarded
$8,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 17,341 people earned their degree in drama and theater arts, making the major the 59th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, drama and theater arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $23,190 and had an average of $23,522 in loans still to pay off.

Across New York, there were 2,842 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $23,795 and $22,052 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 45 colleges that offered a degree in drama and theater arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent drama and 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 drama and theater arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 New York For Those Making $0-$30k” 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 New York For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in New York

1
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hunter College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k. Hunter College is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Hunter has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hunter College is $396 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Full Hunter Drama & Theater Arts Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 42 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Columbia also took the #2 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia is $9,873 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Columbia Drama & Theater Arts Report

3
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The City College of New York
New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The City College of New York. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k. CCNY is located in New York, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

CCNY also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for CCNY is $1,254 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at The City College of New York

4
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Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brooklyn College landed the #4 spot on the list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large school located in Brooklyn, New York that handed out 42 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Brooklyn College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” list. It costs about $1,547 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brooklyn College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Brooklyn College

5

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, New York City College of Technology landed the #5 spot on the list. New York City College of Technology is a public institution located in Brooklyn, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

City Tech also took the #25 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Tech is $2,908 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at New York City College of Technology

6
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Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York

With a ranking of #6, Vassar College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vassar is a small school located in Poughkeepsie, New York that handed out 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vassar, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vassar is $10,535 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Vassar College Drama & Theater Arts Report

7
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Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, New York

Skidmore College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Skidmore also took the #8 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Skidmore College is $10,780 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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 2.0% 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%.

Full Skidmore College Drama & Theater Arts Report

8
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Queens College
Queens, New York

Queens College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. QC is a public institution located in Queens, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Queens College is $1,344 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full QC Drama & Theater Arts Report

9
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Lehman College
Bronx, New York

Lehman College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lehman College is a fairly large school located in Bronx, New York that handed out 7 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lehman is $881 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Lehman College

10
SUNY Fredonia crest
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York

SUNY Fredonia came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fredonia, New York, this small public school handed out 51 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

SUNY Fredonia also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Fredonia is $10,026 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at SUNY Fredonia

11
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LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, New York

LaGuardia Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Island City, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend LaGuardia Community College is $6,878 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at LaGuardia Community College

12
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Purchase College
Purchase, New York

Purchase College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Purchase College is a public institution located in Purchase, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 151 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Purchase College also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Purchase College is $13,899 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Purchase College

13
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University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

University at Buffalo came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University at Buffalo is a large public school situated in Buffalo, New York. It awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

University at Buffalo also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $14,098 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University at Buffalo.

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 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University at Buffalo Drama & Theater Arts Report

14
Binghamton University crest
Binghamton University
Vestal, New York

Binghamton University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Binghamton University is a public institution located in Vestal, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Binghamton University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Binghamton University is $13,380 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Binghamton University

15
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York

Nassau Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Nassau Community College is a public institution located in Garden City, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Nassau Community College is $2,197 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Nassau Community College

16
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Syracuse, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 58 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Syracuse also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Syracuse University is $17,250 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 89%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Syracuse University

17

Suffolk County Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Selden, New York, this large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Suffolk County Community College is $2,585 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Suffolk County Community College

18
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York

With a ranking of #18, Ithaca College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ithaca, New York, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 69 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ithaca has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” ranking. It costs about $20,679 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ithaca.

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%. 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 Ithaca College Drama & Theater Arts Report

19
SUNY Brockport crest
The College at Brockport
Brockport, New York

The College at Brockport landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SUNY Brockport is a public institution located in Brockport, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Brockport is $10,679 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full The College at Brockport Drama & Theater Arts Report

20

Queensborough Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bayside, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,866 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend QCC.

Full Queensborough Community College Drama & Theater Arts Report

21
SUNY Oswego crest
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, New York

With a ranking of #21, SUNY Oswego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k list. SUNY Oswego is a medium-sized public school situated in Oswego, New York. It awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Oswego is $10,090 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SUNY Oswego Drama & Theater Arts Report

22
SUNY New Paltz crest
SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, New York

SUNY New Paltz came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SUNY New Paltz is located in New Paltz, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,840 for New York Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SUNY New Paltz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at SUNY New Paltz

23
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

Stony Brook University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stony Brook University is a large school located in Stony Brook, New York that handed out 11 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stony Brook University is $11,863 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Stony Brook University

24
Buffalo State crest
Buffalo State
Buffalo, New York

Buffalo State came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Buffalo State is a medium-sized public school situated in Buffalo, New York. It awarded 14 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Buffalo State is $10,484 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Buffalo State Drama & Theater Arts Report

25
UAlbany crest
University at Albany
Albany, New York

With a ranking of #25, University at Albany did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in New York For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Albany, New York, and it awarded 17 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UAlbany not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York” list. The estimated yearly cost for UAlbany is $12,489 for new york theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Drama & Theater Arts at University at Albany

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