Cheapest Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Colleges in Washington

Eastern Washington University stands out as the most affordable option for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft students at just $13,091 net price, nearly $26,000 less than the state's most expensive program. Public universities dominate the affordable end of the spectrum, with five programs under $19,000, while private institutions range from $21,370 to $39,060. Washington's theatre scene benefits from the state's tech boom, as companies like Amazon and Microsoft increasingly invest in live entertainment venues and digital media production that create crossover opportunities for theatre graduates.

Programs

$13,091 – $39,060

Net Price Range

$24,984

Avg. Program Earnings

66.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
2	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
3	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
4	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
5	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
6	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
7	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
8	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
9	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
10	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
11	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
12	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
13	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
14	Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, Washington	$39,060	$39,913	52.0%	71.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Public universities in Washington offer net prices between $13,091 and $18,680, while private institutions range from $21,370 to $39,060. The Washington College Grant helps bridge this gap by covering full tuition at public colleges for qualifying students, making state schools particularly attractive for theatre majors.

How do graduation rates compare across affordable theatre programs?

University of Washington Seattle leads with an 83.7% graduation rate despite being the second most affordable option at $13,485. Western Washington University achieves a solid 65.5% rate at $18,680, while Eastern Washington University, the cheapest option, graduates 47.2% of students.

Where do theatre graduates typically earn the highest salaries?

University of Washington Seattle graduates earn $31,305 annually, nearly $9,000 more than graduates from other affordable programs. Central Washington University and Western Washington University graduates earn $23,262 and $22,814 respectively, while Cornish College of the Arts graduates earn $22,554.

Does acceptance rate indicate program competitiveness for theatre majors?

University of Washington Seattle maintains the most selective theatre program with a 47.5% acceptance rate, followed by Whitman College at 47.7%. Most affordable options accept over 90% of applicants, with Eastern Washington University accepting 96.1% and Central Washington University accepting 93.5%.

More Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Rankings

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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.