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2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

35 Ranked Colleges
951 Degrees Awarded
$11,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region 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 the Plains States Region 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 the Plains States region, there were 951 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,630 and $24,168 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 35 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

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

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

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, WUSTL has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $1,556 for Plains States 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 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full WUSTL Drama & Theater Arts Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states 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 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Drama & Theater Arts Report

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 43 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 88%.

Full University of Iowa Drama & Theater Arts Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Full UMN Duluth Drama & Theater Arts Report

5
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #5 spot on the list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNI has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $10,513 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Drama & Theater Arts at University of Northern Iowa

6

With a ranking of #6, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 6 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Drama & Theater Arts at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

7
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $7,208 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Truman State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,005 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Mizzou

9

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UNL

10
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 15 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Olaf has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,112 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Olaf.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, 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 91%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at St. Olaf

11
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $12,948 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at Lindenwood University

12

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 30 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMKC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $12,724 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Missouri - Kansas City

13

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for Plains States Region 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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UNOMAHA

14
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $11,721 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Winona State University

15
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Kansas.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, 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 KU Drama & Theater Arts Report

16

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Missouri State University - Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,381 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Missouri State University - Springfield

17
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Missouri is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $11,006 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UCM Drama & Theater Arts Report

18
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kansas State University is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 27 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, K -State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $13,436 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Kansas State University

19
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,047 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Webster University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Webster University

20

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region 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%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Drama & Theater Arts Report

21

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Missouri Southern is located in Joplin, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern is $7,881 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Missouri Southern State University

22

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,675 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU Moorhead.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Drama & Theater Arts Report

23
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #23, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Full St. Cloud State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

24
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

USD also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $15,495 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USD.

The low undergrad 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of South Dakota

25

Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Nebraska Wesleyan University is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, NWU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NWU is $20,225 for plains states region theater students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at NWU

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