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2022 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

48 Ranked Colleges
1,377 Degrees Awarded
$8,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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 “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 the Southwest region, there were 1,377 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,362 and $23,453 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 48 colleges that offered a degree in drama and theater arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality drama and theater arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $2,993 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

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 Drama & Theater Arts at UT Rio Grande Valley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UNT is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNT is $8,521 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Full University of North Texas Drama & Theater Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Woman’s University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 13 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $6,706 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas Woman’s University.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at TWU

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 55 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,203 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Austin.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Austin Drama & Theater Arts Report

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $12,317 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Full Texas Tech Drama & Theater Arts Report

#6

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 60 students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $10,562 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 University of Arizona Drama & Theater Arts Report

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USAO is located in Chickasha, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is $5,506 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at USAO

With a ranking of #8, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 7 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend OSU is $8,669 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ASU - Tempe is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 69 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $7,044 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Drama & Theater Arts Report

Austin Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $3,134 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Austin Community College District

#11

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas State is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 150 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $11,125 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Texas State Drama & Theater Arts Report

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This fairly large school is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and it awarded 32 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $8,650 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SFASU.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Stephen F Austin State University

#13

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 53 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,203 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UH.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Houston

#14

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend CNM is $2,604 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CNM

#15

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Canyon, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, West Texas A&M University has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Texas A&M University is $8,730 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at West Texas A&M University

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UTEP is $7,092 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UTEP

#17

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SHSU is $10,561 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at SHSU

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this fairly large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend NMSU Main Campus is $6,896 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full NMSU Main Campus Drama & Theater Arts Report

#19

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern State University is $7,614 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full NSU Drama & Theater Arts Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Commerce, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M Commerce is $10,013 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Texas A&M Commerce

#21

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #21, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NAU is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 18 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend NAU is $9,251 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Northern Arizona University

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Portales, New Mexico is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend ENMU - Main Campus is $8,115 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus

#23

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale Community College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Scottsdale Community College is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Scottsdale Community College is $8,963 for southwest region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Scottsdale Community College

#24

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 50 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

OCU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $17,214 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend OCU.

The impressive 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Oklahoma City University

Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Avondale, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,973 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Estrella Mountain Community College.

Full Estrella Mountain Community College Drama & Theater Arts Report

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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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