by our College Data Analytics TeamMusical Theater was the 426th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 995 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 60 over the prior year, a growth of 6.0%.
This year's Best Musical Theater Schools ranking compares 56 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of musical theatre programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to musical theatre. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
musical theater degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional musical theatre certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of musical theatre degrees. You can get anything from a in musical theater to the highest musical theatre degree, a . The type of musical theatre degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to musical theatre, with approximately 29.4% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to musical theatre tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 27.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.4% |
| High School Diploma | 12.2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 8.3% |
Most workers in musical theatre have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in musical theater have received.
This of course varies depending on which musical theatre career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your musical theatre degree? Musical Theater careers are expected to grow 9.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to musical theater.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | 182,800 | 6.0% |
| Producers and Directors | 151,200 | 12.2% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 79,100 | 5.7% |
| Actors | 71,200 | 11.6% |
As you might expect, salaries for musical theatre graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for musical theater graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers musical theatre grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $89,840 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $59,790 |
| Choreographers | $53,560 |
With over 157 different musical theatre degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased musical theatre school rankings to help you with this.
One of 9 majors within the Drama & Theater Arts area of study, Musical Theater has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theater Arts | 11,385 |
| Acting | 1,793 |
| Theater Design & Technology | 1,164 |
| Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft | 862 |
| Playwriting & Screenwriting | 683 |
Image Credit: By Donald Judge under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
