2023 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
31
Ranked Colleges
1,941
Degrees Awarded
$8,600
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Theater Arts is the 70th most popular major in the country with 11,385 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across California, there were 1,941 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 31 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theater arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality theater arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the 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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 41 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $8,450 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Theater Arts at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,037 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Theater Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 113 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $4,590 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.
Read more about Theater Arts at Cal State Fullerton
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $6,540 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Irvine Theater Arts Report
Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Southern California landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 48 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,287 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.
Full USC Theater Arts Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 43 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $9,823 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Theater Arts at UCSD
California State University - Los Angeles ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 37 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,887 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theater Arts at Cal State LA
University of California - Davis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $10,006 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Davis.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 full report on Theater Arts at University of California - Davis
California State University - Long Beach came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 81 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,663 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSULB.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theater Arts at California State University - Long Beach
University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCSB Theater Arts Report
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Theater Arts at Fresno State
California State University - Northridge came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUN has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,266 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUN.
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%.
Full California State University - Northridge Theater Arts Report
San Diego State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 64 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theater Arts at SDSU
California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 25 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Theater Arts at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 19 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,657 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theater Arts at CSUDH
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #13 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UC Santa Cruz Theater Arts Report
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,163 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.
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 full report on Theater Arts at Sac State
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 34 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Theater Arts at Cal Poly Pomona
San Jose State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $12,158 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full San Jose State University Theater Arts Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 13 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 Theater Arts at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
With a ranking of #21, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 56 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $10,705 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on Theater Arts at SFSU
With a ranking of #22, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 14 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california theater students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $9,975 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theater Arts at California State University - East Bay
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, 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 87%.
Read full report on Theater Arts at Stan State
California State University - Chico ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $11,754 for California Theater students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theater Arts at Chico State
Sonoma State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SSU is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,803 for california theater students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SSU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theater Arts at Sonoma State University
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