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2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

14 Ranked Colleges
203 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 18,124 people earned their degree in drama and theater arts, making the major the 59th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, drama and theater arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $21,403 and had an average of $26,932 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 203 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $16,750 and $22,225 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 14 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the drama and theater arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The theater school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#1 in overall quality
$3,156 Average Net Price
$67,244 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $3,156 for Tennessee Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Vanderbilt University

#2

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee
#5 in overall quality
$8,108 Average Net Price
$43,755 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UT Chattanooga not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Chattanooga is $8,108 for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UT Chattanooga

#3

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee
#4 in overall quality
$10,224 Average Net Price
$43,722 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 20 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $10,224 for Tennessee Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

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 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UT Knoxville

#4

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#8 in overall quality
$8,919 Average Net Price
$36,971 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 22 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Middle Tennessee State University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $8,919 for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#5

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality
$16,870 Average Net Price
$35,286 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rhodes College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rhodes College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rhodes College is $16,870 for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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%. The 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.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Rhodes College

#6

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
#12 in overall quality
$10,632 Average Net Price
$40,067 Average Early-Career Earnings

East Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ETSU is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ETSU is $10,632 for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at ETSU

#7

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
#6 in overall quality
$15,228 Average Net Price
$55,950 Average Early-Career Earnings

Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Trevecca Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

TNU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Trevecca Nazarene University is $15,228 for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Trevecca Nazarene University

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality
$13,512 Average Net Price
$41,750 Average Early-Career Earnings

Freed-Hardeman University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Henderson, Tennessee, and it awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, FHU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Freed-Hardeman University is $13,512 for Tennessee Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at FHU

#9

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality
$10,256 Average Net Price
$38,610 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #9, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $10,256 for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UofM.

Full University of Memphis Drama & Theater Arts Report

#10

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
#11 in overall quality
$10,909 Average Net Price
$34,836 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #10, Austin Peay State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Austin Peay State University is a public institution located in Clarksville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $10,909 for tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Austin Peay State University

#11

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
#3 in overall quality
$25,980 Average Net Price
$47,290 Average Early-Career Earnings

Belmont University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Belmont also took the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $25,980 for Tennessee Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Belmont.

The 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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at Belmont

#12

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
#7 in overall quality
$13,841 Average Net Price
$31,662 Average Early-Career Earnings

Lee University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Lee University also took the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $13,841 for Tennessee Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lee University.

Full Lee University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#13

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
#10 in overall quality
$20,036 Average Net Price
$50,625 Average Early-Career Earnings

Lipscomb University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lipscomb University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lipscomb has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lipscomb is $20,036 for Tennessee Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, 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 86%.

Full Lipscomb Drama & Theater Arts Report

#14

Visible Music College

Memphis, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality
$21,073 Average Net Price

Visible Music College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Visible Music College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Visible Music College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Visible Music College is $21,073 for Tennessee Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The 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 Visible Music College Drama & Theater Arts Report

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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