2023 Most Popular Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts
1,097
Ranked Colleges
17,341
Degrees Awarded
$38,500
Avg Cost*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Most Well Attended Theater Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 17,341 people earned their degree in drama and theater arts, making the major the 59th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, drama and theater arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $23,190 and had an average of $23,522 in loans still to pay off.
For this year’s “Most Well Attended Theater Major” ranking, we looked at 1,097 colleges that offer a degree in drama and theater arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular drama and theater arts programs in the United States.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Theater Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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.
Most Well Attended Theater Major
The colleges and universities below are the best for theater students.
Top 25 Most Popular Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts
Out of the 1,097 schools in the Most Well Attended Theater Major that were part of this year’s ranking, New York University landed the #1 spot on the list. New York University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 453 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full New York University Drama & Theater Arts Report
Out of the 1,097 schools in the Most Well Attended Theater Major that were part of this year’s ranking, American Musical and Dramatic Academy landed the #2 spot on the list. American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a small school located in New York, New York that handed out 481 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full American Musical and Dramatic Academy Drama & Theater Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Savannah College of Art and Design. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. This fairly large school is located in Savannah, Georgia, and it awarded 187 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at SCAD
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 175 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full USC Drama & Theater Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend New York Film Academy. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. Located in Burbank, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 228 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at New York Film Academy
Columbia College Chicago landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 155 students in 2020-2021.
Full Columbia Drama & Theater Arts Report
Purchase College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. Purchase, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s theater degrees to 151 students in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Purchase College
American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 159 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles
Texas State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 145 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full Texas State Drama & Theater Arts Report
With a ranking of #10, Emerson College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 143 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Emerson
New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 143 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
With a ranking of #12, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 129 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Irvine Drama & Theater Arts Report
Pace University - New York came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. Pace University is located in New York, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 126 ’s theater degrees to qualified students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Pace University - New York Drama & Theater Arts Report
Northwestern University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking, coming in at #14. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 124 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Northwestern
California State University - Fullerton ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended Theater Major list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 122 diplomas to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full California State University - Fullerton Drama & Theater Arts Report
Florida State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 121 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Florida State Drama & Theater Arts Report
Marymount Manhattan College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. MMC is a small school located in New York, New York that handed out 121 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at MMC
With a ranking of #18, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 112 degrees to qualified ’s theater students in 2020-2021.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Loyola Marymount University Drama & Theater Arts Report
Chapman University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking, coming in at #19. Orange, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theater degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Chapman University
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Theater Major list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 102 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UT Austin Drama & Theater Arts Report
DePaul University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 94 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at DePaul
University of Central Florida ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Theater Major list. UCF is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 93 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Central Florida
With a ranking of #23, University of North Carolina School of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. UNCSA is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
With a ranking of #23, University of Northern Colorado did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theater Major list. This fairly large school is located in Greeley, Colorado, and it awarded 91 ’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Northern Colorado
Temple University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theater Major ranking. Temple University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Drama & Theater Arts at Temple University
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