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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

21 Ranked Colleges
434 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Theater Arts is the 69th most popular major in the country with 11,561 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Illinois, there were 479 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 434 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,319 and $24,183 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Theater Arts Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 21 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 93 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theater students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $16,784 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full Northwestern University Theater Arts Report

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also took the #7 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $18,928 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#3

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Eastern Illinois University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $19,147 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Theater Arts at EIU

#4

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. NIU is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $21,425 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

Read full report on Theater Arts at NIU

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 32 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $21,998 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#6

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 30 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $23,486 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Millikin.

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.

Read more about Theater Arts at Millikin

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,698 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Read full report on Theater Arts at SIUC

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 71 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $25,379 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Illinois State.

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%.

Full Illinois State Theater Arts Report

#18 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 13 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $20,270 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Illinois at Chicago

#10

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Western Illinois University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 8 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,181 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Read full report on Theater Arts at WIU

#11

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, North Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. North Park University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 2 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park also made our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for North Park University is $19,563 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$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 Theater Arts at North Park University

#12

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Augustana College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Augustana is located in Rock Island, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Augustana also took the #8 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $23,730 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Augustana.

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%. 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 Theater Arts at Augustana College

#13

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Elmhurst University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Elmhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $23,604 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Elmhurst University.

The low 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 Theater Arts at Elmhurst

#14

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley University is $28,169 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$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 low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Theater Arts at Bradley

#15

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Knox College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Knox not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $23,813 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Knox.

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%. 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.

Full Knox Theater Arts Report

#16

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

North Central College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Naperville, Illinois, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $25,778 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low 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 North Central College Theater Arts Report

#17

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Lake Forest College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Lake Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $30,189 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Lake Forest College.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Lake Forest College

#18

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Columbia College Chicago landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Columbia is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 9 bachelors’s theater degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $33,864 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Columbia.

Read more about Theater Arts at Columbia

#19

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Illinois Wesleyan is located in Bloomington, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Illinois Wesleyan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Wesleyan is $27,302 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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 full report on Theater Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University

#20

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

DePaul University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 bachelors’s theater degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePaul, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul is $30,877 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Theater students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at DePaul University

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theater Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theater degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #4 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Chicago is $36,700 for illinois bachelor’s degree theater students whose families make $75-$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%.

Read more about Theater Arts at Loyola Chicago

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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