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2023 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

89 Ranked Colleges
2,424 Degrees Awarded
$14,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Southeast region, there were 2,424 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 89 colleges that offer a degree in theater arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great theater arts programs and 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theater Arts in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $5,135 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Theater Arts at UF

2

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #10 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $12,469 for southeast region theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, 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 95%.

Read more about Theater Arts at UNC Chapel Hill

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $9,946 for southeast region theater students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida State Theater Arts Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNCSA is a small school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 19 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCSA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,276 for southeast region theater students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

With a undergrad 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 undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Greensboro, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $11,629 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

Full UNC Greensboro Theater Arts Report

6
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #6, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $14,257 for southeast region theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 undergraduate students.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Georgia

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 93 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,618 for southeast region theater students with aid per year to attend University of Central Florida.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full University of Central Florida Theater Arts Report

8

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $8,346 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

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 92%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of South Florida - Main Campus

9

The University of West Florida came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 12 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,089 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UWF

10
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 11 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students with aid list, University of Virginia has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $22,006 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Theater Arts Report

11

Florida International University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Florida International University is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 36 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,298 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid per year to attend Florida International University.

The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at FIU

12
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Appalachian State University is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $13,989 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Appalachian State University

13
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 25 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WVU is $13,355 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

Read more about Theater Arts at WVU

14
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 31 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%.

Full Virginia Tech Theater Arts Report

15
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Duke University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $32,459 for southeast region theater students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Duke University

16
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

With a ranking of #16, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. NKU is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $9,183 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

Full NKU Theater Arts Report

17
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Western Kentucky University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,522 for southeast region theater students with aid per year to attend WKU.

Read full report on Theater Arts at WKU

18
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #18, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. FAU is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend FAU is $10,735 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at FAU

19
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students with aid list, UK has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kentucky is $18,203 for southeast region theater students with aid.

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 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Kentucky

20
UNO crest
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

University of New Orleans came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. New Orleans, Louisiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 51 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of New Orleans is $12,140 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of New Orleans

21
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Regent University is a fairly large school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 40 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Regent is $24,888 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

Full Regent University Theater Arts Report

22
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fayetteville, Arkansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

UARK also took the #19 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UARK is $16,507 for southeast region theater students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Arkansas

23
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $12,752 for southeast region theater students with aid.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Theater Arts Report

24
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. James Madison University is a large school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 69 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theater students with aid list, JMU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $22,562 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid per year to attend JMU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. 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 more about Theater Arts at JMU

25
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theater Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.

Emory also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $22,597 for Southeast Region Theater students with aid.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Theater Arts at Emory University

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