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2023 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

35 Ranked Colleges
951 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 the Plains States region, there were 951 drama and theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,630 and $24,168 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 35 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #1 spot on the list. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region theater students with aid.

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 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Iowa

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 69 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #4 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,878 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Drama & Theater Arts Report

3
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 19 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UNI

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. North Dakota State University is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,998 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at North Dakota State University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Mizzou.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Mizzou

6

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 30 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,702 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend UMKC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at UMKC

7

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 35 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNL is $17,013 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNL Drama & Theater Arts Report

8
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also took the #7 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $17,366 for plains states region theater students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Lindenwood University

9
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #9, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Truman State is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $12,301 for plains states region theater students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Truman State

10

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also took the #25 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $13,914 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA Drama & Theater Arts Report

11
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

With a ranking of #11, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 16 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $14,058 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Central Missouri

12

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 60 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

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

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Drama & Theater Arts Report

13

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #19 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Minnesota - Duluth

14

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Missouri Southern State University is a small public school situated in Joplin, Missouri. It awarded 16 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Southern is $9,526 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Missouri Southern

15
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Winona State

16
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full KU Drama & Theater Arts Report

17
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 27 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for plains states region theater students with aid.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Kansas State University

18

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Minnesota State University - Mankato

19
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Webster also made our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Webster University is $23,248 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

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 Webster

20
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #20, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region theater students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Drama & Theater Arts Report

21
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. USD is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students with aid list, USD has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,389 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend USD.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USD Drama & Theater Arts Report

22
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

With a ranking of #22, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Emporia State University is a medium-sized school located in Emporia, Kansas that handed out 10 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,794 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Emporia State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at ESU

23

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $17,680 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Minnesota State University - Moorhead

24

University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 6 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,099 for plains states region theater students with aid per year to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of Nebraska at Kearney

25

Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 4 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $12,908 for Plains States Region Theater students with aid.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

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