2023 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California
38
Ranked Colleges
3,040
Degrees Awarded
$9,700
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Drama & Theater Arts is the 59th most popular major in the country with 17,341 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 California, there were 3,040 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,344 and $18,964 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 38 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 California For Those Making $30-$48k”.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 41 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $9,999 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UCLA Drama & Theater Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $5,821 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Drama & Theater Arts Report
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,701 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
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%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Los Angeles
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #5 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 129 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $8,449 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UC Irvine
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 61 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $11,176 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UCSD
California State University - Fresno ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $4,655 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, 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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Fresno
University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Davis Drama & Theater Arts Report
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 81 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $7,573 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 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%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSULB
University of Southern California ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 175 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,345 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at USC
With a ranking of #11, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 77 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 California State University - Northridge
With a ranking of #12, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 25 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $6,613 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. 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 California State University - San Bernardino
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of California - Santa Barbara
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $3,329 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at CSUDH
With a ranking of #15, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $9,274 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at San Diego State University
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at Sac State
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Drama & Theater Arts Report
With a ranking of #18, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,992 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
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%. 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 Cal Poly Pomona Drama & Theater Arts Report
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 16 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $13,378 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at San Jose State University
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $4,903 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Stanislaus Drama & Theater Arts Report
With a ranking of #21, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $11,025 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Cal State East Bay
San Francisco State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 56 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,862 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Francisco State University.
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%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at San Francisco State University
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #15 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for california theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Drama & Theater Arts Report
Sonoma State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 21 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
SSU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sonoma State University is $13,983 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Sonoma State University
California State University - Chico landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $13,040 for California Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Chico
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