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Best Value Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Colleges in Missouri

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

College of the Ozarks stands out among Missouri's drama programs with a net cost of just $7,669, making it the most affordable option by a significant margin. This contrasts sharply with schools like Saint Louis University at $27,075, creating a $19,406 gap between the lowest and highest-cost programs. Earnings for Missouri drama graduates range from $18,771 to $28,381, with Lindenwood University graduates earning the highest median salaries despite moderate program costs of $18,516. Missouri's growing entertainment sector, including regional theaters in Kansas City and St. Louis plus film production incentives, creates opportunities for drama graduates beyond traditional stage work. The state's A+ Scholarship program helps students complete foundational coursework at community colleges before transferring to four-year drama programs, reducing overall educational costs.
29
Programs
$7,669 – $27,075
Net Price Range
$23,388
Avg. Program Earnings
55.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,030 $28,236 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
2 $18,516 $28,381 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
3 $12,323 $18,771 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
4 $15,336 $22,192 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
5 $17,502 $21,508 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
6 $21,523 $21,964 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
7 $27,075 $26,353 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%
8 $23,277 $21,052 $28,200 46.5% 64.2%
9 $26,196 $22,034 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
10 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
11 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
12 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
13 $21,082 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
14 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
15 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
16 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
17 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
18 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
19 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
20 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
21 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
22 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
23 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
24 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
25 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
26 $18,705 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
27 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
28 $25,477 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
29 $12,860 $13,692 52.6% 63.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks such an strong value for drama students?

College of the Ozarks offers the lowest net cost at $7,669 among Missouri's drama programs, nearly $5,000 less than the next cheapest option. The college's work-study program allows students to graduate debt-free by working on campus. With a 61.30% graduation rate and highly selective 21.13% acceptance rate, students receive personalized attention in small program sizes.

How do public and private drama program costs compare in Missouri?

Public universities typically charge in-state students between $9,024 and $14,130 in tuition, while private schools range from $21,100 to $62,982. However, net costs tell a different story, with some private schools like Lindenwood at $18,516 competing closely with public options. Truman State University offers the best public value with a $12,030 net cost and strong 68.40% graduation rate.

Where do Missouri drama graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Lindenwood University graduates earn the highest median salaries at $28,381, followed closely by Truman State at $28,236. These earnings significantly exceed the state range low of $18,771 from University of Missouri-St Louis. Saint Louis University graduates earn $26,353 despite paying the highest net costs, suggesting program quality varies independently of price.

Is Truman State University worth considering for out-of-state drama students?

Truman State offers strong value with a $12,030 net cost and 68.40% graduation rate, the highest among affordable options. Graduates earn $28,236 annually, near the top of the state range. The university's 45.05% acceptance rate makes admission competitive but achievable for qualified students seeking quality theater training at reasonable costs.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Missouri drama schools?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with Washington University leading at 94.40% and Saint Louis University at 79.80%. However, College of the Ozarks breaks this pattern with a 61.30% graduation rate despite the lowest costs. Public universities cluster between 49.40% and 68.40% graduation rates regardless of their similar pricing structures.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.