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2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k

23 Ranked Colleges
844 Degrees Awarded
$29,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the drama and theater arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools

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 Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k”.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts (Income Over $110k) in Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k list. Edwardsville, 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.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,423 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at SIUE

#2

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #2 spot on the list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 5 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $14,607 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#3

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Illinois University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $18,259 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k.

Full NIU Drama & Theater Arts Report

#4

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 78 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $20,895 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k.

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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at Illinois State University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #5 for the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 48 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $15,880 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Drama & Theater Arts Report

#6

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k list, North Park has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Park University is $19,170 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at North Park University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,945 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend SIUC.

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

#8

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k list. Millikin is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 30 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin University is $21,331 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Millikin University Drama & Theater Arts Report

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,210 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend WIU.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at WIU

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $13,312 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Drama & Theater Arts Report

#11

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Augustana is located in Rock Island, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $23,874 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k.

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

Full Augustana College Drama & Theater Arts Report

#12

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. North Central College is a small school located in Naperville, Illinois that handed out 15 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central also took the #13 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $24,786 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend North Central College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central Drama & Theater Arts Report

#13

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Bradley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $25,634 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k.

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

Full Bradley Drama & Theater Arts Report

#14

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k list. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 4 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $21,485 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Elmhurst.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Elmhurst University

#15

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k list. Roosevelt is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 59 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $22,749 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Roosevelt.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Roosevelt University

#16

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 118 students 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 yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $24,664 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Northwestern

#17

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k list. Lake Forest is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lake Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k list, Lake Forest has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $26,426 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Lake Forest.

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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Lake Forest

#18

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 169 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Columbia College Chicago is $31,099 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Columbia Drama & Theater Arts Report

#19

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #19. Knox is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k list, Knox has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $22,292 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Knox.

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. 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 Knox Drama & Theater Arts Report

#20

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 90 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend DePaul University is $30,090 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at DePaul University

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 ’s 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. It costs about $35,407 for illinois theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, 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 85%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Loyola Chicago

#22

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This small school is located in Bloomington, Illinois, and it awarded 25 ’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan also took the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $26,039 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan 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. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 more about Drama & Theater Arts at Illinois Wesleyan

#23

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Theater Schools in Illinois For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #4 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $27,315 for Illinois Theater students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UChicago.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UChicago

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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