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2023 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

34 Ranked Colleges
681 Degrees Awarded
$12,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 11,385 people earned their degree in theater arts, making the major the 70th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 681 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree in theater arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theater arts programs, but they also cost less that 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 theater arts program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WUSTL is $2,446 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at WUSTL

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,609 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UMN Twin Cities

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 17 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $8,697 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full UMN Duluth Theater Arts Report

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 37 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States 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 88%. 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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Iowa

5
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Truman State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,898 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Truman State.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Truman State University

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,386 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

Full Mizzou Theater Arts Report

7

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,735 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University Theater Arts Report

8
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 5 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $13,175 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNI Theater Arts Report

9
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf also took the #13 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $11,138 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full St. Olaf Theater Arts Report

10

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,453 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Theater Arts Report

11
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,008 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

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 Lindenwood University

12

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $13,751 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 UMKC Theater Arts Report

13

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $11,294 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at UNOMAHA

14

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Theater Arts Report

15
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

Winona State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $12,963 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Winona State University Theater Arts Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Missouri Southern State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Joplin, Missouri, this small public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern is $7,731 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Missouri Southern Theater Arts Report

17
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 28 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k list, KU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $16,288 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, 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 86%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of Kansas

18

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MSU Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,194 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The undergrad 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 full report on Theater Arts at MSU Moorhead

19
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Central Missouri is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,120 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCM.

Full University of Central Missouri Theater Arts Report

20

With a ranking of #20, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 20 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $12,263 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Theater Arts Report

21
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

K -State also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $14,653 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 K -State

22
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,825 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

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 Theater Arts Report

23
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emporia State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Emporia, Kansas. It awarded 10 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend ESU is $12,971 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Theater Arts at Emporia State University

24
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Webster also took the #5 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Webster is $20,039 for Plains States Region Theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Webster University

25

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $16,493 for plains states region theater students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at SMU MN

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