Cheapest Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Colleges in South Dakota

Northern State University offers the most affordable Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in South Dakota at just $17,094 net cost, making it nearly $7,600 cheaper than Augustana University's $24,723 price tag. The University of South Dakota stands out as the only program with available earnings data, showing graduates earn $24,730 annually. South Dakota's growing tourism industry, including attractions like Mount Rushmore and Deadwood, creates opportunities for theatre professionals in entertainment venues and cultural programming across the state's visitor destinations.

Programs

$17,094 – $24,723

Net Price Range

$24,730

Avg. Program Earnings

59.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Northern State University Aberdeen, South Dakota	$17,094	$8,845	52.2%	78.1%
2	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$18,219	$9,299	59.6%	86.1%
3	University of South Dakota Vermillion, South Dakota	$19,155	$9,432	61.4%	99.5%
4	Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, South Dakota	$19,300	$32,890	46.4%	74.8%
5	University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, South Dakota	$20,874	$20,740	60.5%	76.0%
6	Augustana University Sioux Falls, South Dakota	$24,723	$39,190	75.6%	65.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between public and private theatre programs in South Dakota?

Public universities like Northern State ($17,094) and South Dakota State ($18,219) cost roughly half as much as private institutions. Augustana University charges $24,723 net cost despite having the highest graduation rate at 75.6%, while Northern State accepts 78% of applicants at a fraction of the price.

How do graduation rates compare across South Dakota's theatre programs?

Augustana University leads with a 75.6% graduation rate, followed by University of South Dakota at 61.4% and University of Sioux Falls at 60.5%. Northern State University, despite being the cheapest option, maintains a 52.2% graduation rate while accepting nearly four out of five applicants.

Does the University of South Dakota's high acceptance rate affect program quality?

The University of South Dakota accepts 99.46% of applicants, the highest among all programs, yet maintains a solid 61.4% graduation rate. This open-access approach costs $19,155 annually and provides the only available earnings data showing $24,730 for graduates in the field.

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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.