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2022 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

48 Ranked Colleges
1,377 Degrees Awarded
$9,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 $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 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 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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 48 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the drama and theater arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Rio Grande Valley is $3,473 for southwest region 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%.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Drama & Theater Arts Report

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 $30-$48k. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 62 degrees to qualified ’s theater students 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 $9,082 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UNT

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Woman’s University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Denton, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

TWU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Woman’s University is $7,050 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full TWU Drama & Theater Arts Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Austin is $13,575 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low 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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at The University of Texas at Austin

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is located in Chickasha, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,432 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at USAO

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

OSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $9,962 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

#7

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #7, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $11,466 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Arizona

#8

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #8, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 31 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,326 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas Tech University.

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 Texas Tech University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#9

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas State University is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 150 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State is $12,292 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Texas State

#10

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #10, University of Houston did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 53 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for UH is $9,925 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UH

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,921 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Arizona State University - Tempe.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Arizona State University - Tempe

#12

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $30-$48k 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 estimated yearly cost for West Texas A&M University is $10,146 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full West Texas A&M University Drama & Theater Arts Report

With a ranking of #13, Austin Community College District did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Austin Community College District is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Austin Community College District is $4,362 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Austin Community College District

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Nacogdoches, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFASU is $10,816 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#15

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CNM is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,626 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.

Full CNM Drama & Theater Arts Report

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 $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,427 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at El Paso.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at The University of Texas at El Paso

#17

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

SHSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $11,634 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at SHSU

#18

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeastern State University is a medium-sized school located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma that handed out 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,543 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NSU.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Northeastern State University

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Commerce, Texas, and it awarded 18 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,580 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas A&M Commerce.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Texas A&M Commerce

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 10 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend NMSU Main Campus is $7,006 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Drama & Theater Arts Report

#21

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,799 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NAU.

Full NAU Drama & Theater Arts Report

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Portales, New Mexico, this medium-sized public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for ENMU - Main Campus is $8,219 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at ENMU - Main Campus

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Estrella Mountain Community College is located in Avondale, Arizona and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Estrella Mountain Community College is $8,740 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Estrella Mountain Community College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#24

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 1 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for San Antonio College is $6,189 for southwest region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full San Antonio College Drama & Theater Arts Report

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UT Arlington is $12,974 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at UT Arlington

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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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