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2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

23 Ranked Colleges
844 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Drama & Theater Arts is the 59th most popular major in the country with 18,124 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Illinois, there were 844 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,300 and $27,875 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great drama and theater arts programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 118 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $3,995 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The 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 97%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,800 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UChicago

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $8,464 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #4 spot on the list. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $9,938 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#5

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Eastern Illinois University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, EIU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,316 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend EIU.

Full EIU Drama & Theater Arts Report

#6

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 78 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $14,999 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The low 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 Illinois State

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,861 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

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

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,185 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UIC

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $14,306 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SIUC Drama & Theater Arts Report

#10

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 14 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $14,526 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Western Illinois University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#11

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Knox is a small school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 3 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Knox is $19,186 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Knox Drama & Theater Arts Report

#12

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Bradley University is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 9 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #6 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $18,232 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Bradley

#13

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest College is $19,152 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Lake Forest

#14

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Millikin is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Millikin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $17,692 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Millikin University

#15

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Park is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,270 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Park.

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.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at North Park

#16

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $17,837 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Elmhurst

#17

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Augustana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rock Island, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Augustana has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana College is $16,249 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Augustana College

#18

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bloomington, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Wesleyan, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Wesleyan is $19,857 for Illinois 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Wesleyan University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#19

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Naperville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $20,128 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The 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 North Central

#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Roosevelt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Roosevelt University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 59 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Roosevelt has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt University is $20,330 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Roosevelt Drama & Theater Arts Report

#21

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 169 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Chicago is $27,397 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Columbia College Chicago

#22

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 27 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Loyola University Chicago is $29,788 for Illinois Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Loyola University Chicago

#23

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 90 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $25,842 for illinois theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DePaul University.

The low 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%.

Full DePaul 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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