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2025 Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools

294 Colleges in the United States
12,468 Bachelor's Degrees
$21,172 Avg Early-Career Salary
Drama & Theater Arts is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #38 most popular bachelor's degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual reviewed 294 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of drama & theater arts. Combined, these schools handed out 12,468 bachelor's degrees in drama & theater arts to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Drama & Theater Arts School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of drama & theater arts for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality theater program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for drama & theater arts students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Theater Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Drama & Theater Arts in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in drama & theater arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Theater

1
89 Annual Graduates
$19,245 Median Starting Salary
$89,273 Median Student Debt

Northwestern University is a wonderful choice for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in drama & theater arts. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the theater program state that they receive average early career income of $19,245.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Northwestern University

2
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
421 Annual Graduates
$20,916 Median Starting Salary
$114,528 Median Student Debt

New York University is a wonderful choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in drama & theater arts. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

After graduating, theater bachelor's recipients generally earn about $20,916 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from New York University

3
150 Annual Graduates
$21,473 Median Starting Salary
$35,590 Median Student Debt

University of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in drama & theater arts. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theater program earn about $21,473 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of Southern California

4

It is difficult to beat Carnegie Mellon University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in drama & theater arts. Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the drama & theater arts program at Carnegie Mellon University earn $11,795 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Carnegie Mellon University

5
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA
102 Annual Graduates
$19,560 Median Starting Salary
$112,168 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Boston, Emerson is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Soon after graduation, theater bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $19,560 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Emerson College

6
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Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the theater program earn about $21,508 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Boston University

7
61 Annual Graduates
$37,531 Median Starting Salary
$43,843 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Drama & Theater Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Notre Dame receive an earnings boost of about $16,359 over the typical income of drama & theater arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of Notre Dame

8
225 Annual Graduates
$17,410 Median Starting Salary
$123,774 Median Student Debt

American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

After graduation, theater bachelor's recipients usually earn around $17,410 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from American Musical and Dramatic Academy

9
105 Annual Graduates
$24,644 Median Starting Salary
$54,956 Median Student Debt

Chapman is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Orange.

Drama & Theater Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Chapman University get an earnings boost of about $3,472 over the typical income of drama & theater arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Chapman University

10

U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the theater program make about $17,577 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

11
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Iowa City.

Soon after graduation, theater bachelor's recipients typically make an average of $22,225 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of Iowa

12
140 Annual Graduates
$17,929 Median Starting Salary
$58,426 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the theater program state that they receive average early career wages of $17,929.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Columbia College Chicago

13
220 Annual Graduates
$20,532 Median Starting Salary
$106,856 Median Student Debt

SCAD is a fairly large private not-for-profit college located in the city of Savannah.

Soon after graduating, theater bachelor's recipients generally earn about $20,532 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Savannah College of Art and Design

14

Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those drama & theater arts students who get their bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin receive $12,089 more than the standard theater graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from The University of Texas at Austin

15
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Purchase College
Purchase, NY
139 Annual Graduates
$18,090 Median Starting Salary
$42,595 Median Student Debt

Purchase College is a small public college located in the large suburb of Purchase.

Soon after graduation, theater bachelor's recipients typically earn about $18,090 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Purchase College

16
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
61 Annual Graduates
$20,988 Median Starting Salary
$102,596 Median Student Debt

Syracuse is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Syracuse.

Soon after graduating, theater bachelor's recipients typically make around $20,988 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Syracuse University

17
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
100 Annual Graduates
$22,021 Median Starting Salary
$76,179 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the theater program state that they receive average early career earnings of $22,021.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from DePaul University

18
63 Annual Graduates
$19,673 Median Starting Salary
$53,036 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduating, theater bachelor's recipients typically make an average of $19,673 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of California - Los Angeles

19
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduating, theater bachelor's recipients generally make around $18,431 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Florida State University

20
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Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
70 Annual Graduates
$19,269 Median Starting Salary
$55,749 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the theater program state that they receive average early career income of $19,269.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Temple University

21
121 Annual Graduates
$21,869 Median Starting Salary
$96,280 Median Student Debt

Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the theater program state that they receive average early career earnings of $21,869.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Loyola Marymount University

22
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theater program make an average of $16,318 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of Florida

23
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca is a small private not-for-profit college located in the small suburb of Ithaca.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the theater program earn about $18,243 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from Ithaca College

24
61 Annual Graduates
$25,070 Median Starting Salary
$58,308 Median Student Debt

UC is a very large public university located in the large city of Cincinnati.

Drama & Theater Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus earn a boost of approximately $3,898 over the typical income of drama & theater arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

25

UCSD is a very large public university located in the city of La Jolla.

After graduation, theater bachelor's recipients generally make about $18,026 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama & theater arts from University of California - San Diego

Rest of the Top Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools

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New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
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Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
38
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Belmont University
Nashville, TN
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40
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
41
UArts crest
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA

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Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA
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Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 20% of the 294 different United States drama & theater arts schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
52 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
53 University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
54 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
55 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
56 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
57 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
58 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Drama & Theater Arts students that almost earned our Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
59 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
60 American University Washington, DC
61 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
62 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
63 Baylor University Waco, TX
64 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
65 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
66 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
67 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
68 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
69 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
70 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
71 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
72 Point Park University Pittsburgh, PA
73 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
74 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
75 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
76 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
77 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
78 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
79 Florida Southern College Lakeland, FL
80 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
81 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
82 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
83 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
84 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
85 Millikin University Decatur, IL
86 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
87 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
88 Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
89 SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, NY
90 Bennington College Bennington, VT
91 Manhattan School of Music New York, NY
92 Ball State University Muncie, IN
93 Illinois State University Normal, IL
94 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
95 Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK
96 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
97 Fordham University Bronx, NY
98 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO

Drama & Theater Arts by Region

View the Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Drama & Theater Arts is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.

Theater Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Theater Arts 8,624
Musical Theater 1,150
Acting 1,072
Theater Design & Technology 662
Playwriting & Screenwriting 414
Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft 235
Directing & Theatrical Production 131
Theatre and Dance 109
Comedy Writing and Performance 44
Theatre Literature, History & Criticism 19

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 23,952
Design & Applied Arts 19,777
Music 15,299
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 12,664
General Visual & Performing Arts 4,199
Arts & Media Management 2,899
Dance 2,650
Other Visual Art 483
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 61
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art 6

Notes and References

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