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2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

47 Ranked Colleges
1,377 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 47 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. UT 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 took the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Rio Grande Valley is $6,405 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at UT Rio Grande Valley

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #2 spot on the 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.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $15,757 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UT Austin

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Woman’s University landed the #3 spot on the list. TWU is located in Denton, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TWU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $9,629 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend TWU.

Full Texas Woman’s University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#4

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in San Marcos, Texas, this large public school awarded 150 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k list, Texas State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $14,250 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Texas State University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend West Texas A&M University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. West Texas A&M University is located in Canyon, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

West Texas A&M University also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $11,101 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend West Texas A&M University.

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

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Chickasha, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for USAO is $8,693 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drama & Theater Arts Report

#7

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $15,399 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 University of Arizona

#8

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UH is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UH also took the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,505 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Houston.

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

With a ranking of #9, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

UNT also took the #6 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,377 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNT.

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 University of North Texas

#10

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Texas Tech is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 31 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $17,421 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Texas Tech University

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stephen F Austin State University is a fairly large school located in Nacogdoches, Texas that handed out 32 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stephen F Austin State University is $13,644 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UTEP is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at El Paso is $10,786 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UTEP

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. OSU is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $14,698 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus.

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 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

#14

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SHSU is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 55 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,832 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SHSU.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Sam Houston State University

#15

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

With a ranking of #15, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. CNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CNM is $5,676 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at CNM

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $14,033 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full ASU - Tempe Drama & Theater Arts Report

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,235 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NMSU Main Campus.

Full NMSU Main Campus Drama & Theater Arts Report

Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Estrella Mountain Community College is a medium-sized school located in Avondale, Arizona that handed out 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Estrella Mountain Community College is $10,721 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Estrella Mountain Community College Drama & Theater Arts Report

Austin Community College District came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Austin Community College District is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $8,877 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Austin Community College District Drama & Theater Arts Report

#20

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona

Mesa Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mesa, Arizona, and it awarded 17 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mesa Community College is $11,230 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Mesa Community College

#21

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern State University is $11,683 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at NSU

With a ranking of #22, Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas A&M University - Commerce is located in Commerce, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M Commerce is $14,033 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 30 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,622 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of Texas at Arlington.

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

#24

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 18 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for NAU is $12,675 for Southwest Region Theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full NAU Drama & Theater Arts Report

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Portales, New Mexico. It awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for ENMU - Main Campus is $11,117 for southwest region theater students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus

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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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