Best Value Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates earn $30,771 annually while paying just $12,878 in net costs, creating one of the strongest value propositions among Wisconsin's drama programs. The state's theatre market benefits from Milwaukee's established arts scene and Madison's cultural institutions, though earnings across programs range dramatically from $18,401 to $30,771. Public universities dominate the affordability spectrum, with UW-Parkside offering the lowest net cost at $10,044 compared to private institutions like Marquette at $29,237. Wisconsin's manufacturing economy and healthcare sector provide unexpected opportunities for theatre graduates in corporate training, educational outreach, and community engagement roles. The 20 programs show a clear divide between public accessibility and private college premiums, with acceptance rates ranging from Madison's selective 49.06% to Superior's open 95.60%.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$24,506

Avg. Program Earnings

63.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin	$12,878	$30,771	$8,342	53.1%	89.6%
2	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$29,685	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
3	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$29,685	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
4	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$25,395	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
5	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$23,456	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
6	Lawrence University Appleton, Wisconsin	$24,563	$23,113	$55,461	76.4%	72.3%
7	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633	$18,401	$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
8	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$19,227	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
9	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$20,824	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%
10	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948		$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
11	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726		$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
12	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177		$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
13	University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin	$13,405		$8,487	44.1%	95.6%
14	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044		$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
15	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761		$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
16	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$21,315		$35,080	62.7%	93.8%
17	Beloit College Beloit, Wisconsin	$21,924		$58,554	67.2%	65.9%
18	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674		$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
19	Ripon College Ripon, Wisconsin	$21,176		$50,700	59.9%	81.3%
20	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634		$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
21	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362		$37,230	69.6%	72.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Wisconsin-Green Bay stand out for theatre value?

UW-Green Bay combines the highest graduate earnings at $30,771 with a modest net cost of $12,878, creating strong return on investment. The program maintains an 89.62% acceptance rate while delivering 53.10% graduation rates. Students pay just $8,342 in-state tuition, making it accessible for Wisconsin residents seeking strong career outcomes.

How do private college theatre programs compare to public options in Wisconsin?

Private colleges charge significantly more, with Lawrence University at $24,563 net cost versus public options averaging under $16,000. However, Lawrence achieves 76.40% graduation rates compared to most public programs in the 50-60% range. Private programs like Viterbo and Carthage produce lower earnings despite higher costs, with graduates earning $18,401 and $19,227 respectively.

Does University of Wisconsin-Madison justify its higher costs for theatre students?

Madison charges $16,928 in net costs but delivers strong outcomes with 89.30% graduation rates and $29,685 in graduate earnings. The program's 49.06% acceptance rate makes it the most selective option in the state. Students benefit from Madison's cultural resources and networking opportunities that support long-term career development.

What explains the wide earnings gap among Wisconsin theatre graduates?

Graduate earnings span from $18,401 at Viterbo to $30,771 at UW-Green Bay, reflecting different career paths and regional job markets. Public university graduates generally earn more, with UW-River Falls and UW-Madison both producing $29,685 earners. Private college graduates often pursue artistic careers with initially lower but potentially more variable long-term earnings.

Where do Wisconsin theatre graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Milwaukee's arts district and Madison's cultural scene provide traditional theatre jobs, while Wisconsin's corporate sector offers growing opportunities in training and communications roles. Companies like Epic Systems and GE Healthcare increasingly value creative professionals for employee engagement and educational initiatives. The state's tourism industry also supports community theatre and festival work throughout Wisconsin's smaller cities.

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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.