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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region

152 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
2,084 Bachelor's Degrees
$20,762 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your bachelor's degree in drama and theater arts, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #39 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 152 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,084 bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts to qualified students.

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

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region The theater bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region ranking is to help you make that choice.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of drama and theater arts students usually has them for a reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Theater
Master's Degrees in Theater
Doctor's Degrees in Theater
Overall Popularity in Theater

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for drama and theater arts.

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.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in drama and theater arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

22 Most Well Attended Schools for Theater Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
157 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#15 Best Quality In IL

Columbia College Chicago is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

There were approximately 157 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the theater program earn around $20,700 for their early career.

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

2
93 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Northwestern University is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in drama and theater arts. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 93 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

After graduating, theater bachelor's recipients typically make about $20,600 at the beginning of their careers.

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

3
74 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#1 Best Quality In IN

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Notre Dame if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in drama and theater arts. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Indiana.

There were about 74 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the drama and theater arts major at University of Notre Dame make $10,038 more than the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

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

4
72 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IN
#6 Best Quality In IN

Ball State University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in drama and theater arts. Ball State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Muncie. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Indiana.

There were roughly 72 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the theater program earn around $18,300 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Ball State University

4
72 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#14 Best Quality In OH

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Kent State University at Kent if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in drama and theater arts. Kent State is a very large public university located in the suburb of Kent.

There were about 72 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theater program make about $18,400 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Kent State University at Kent

6
71 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#2 Best Quality In IL

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 71 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available.

Those drama and theater arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Illinois State University earn $2,338 more than the average theater graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Illinois State University

7
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
64 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IL
#11 Best Quality In IL

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

There were about 64 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, theater bachelor's recipients generally make an average of $21,800 in their early careers.

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

8
62 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Michigan.

There were roughly 62 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the drama and theater arts program at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn $6,438 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

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

9
51 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In IL
#22 Best Quality In IL

Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were approximately 51 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Roosevelt in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, theater bachelor's recipients usually earn about $19,200 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Roosevelt University

9
51 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

UC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Cincinnati. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Ohio.

There were roughly 51 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the drama and theater arts program at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus make $3,738 more than the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

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

11
46 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MI
#4 Best Quality In MI

Located in the city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a public university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Michigan.

There were approximately 46 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at WMU in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, theater bachelor's recipients generally make about $17,200 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Western Michigan University

12
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
42 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MI
#2 Best Quality In MI

Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Michigan.

There were about 42 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the theater program make an average of $19,800 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Michigan State University

13
35 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IN
#4 Best Quality In IN

IU Bloomington is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Bloomington. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Indiana.

There were roughly 35 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, theater bachelor's recipients usually earn an average of $19,700 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Indiana University - Bloomington

14
32 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 32 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, theater bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $17,300 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

14
32 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#17 Best Quality In OH

Located in the large suburb of Dayton, Wright State University - Main Campus is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were approximately 32 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Wright State University - Main Campus in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theater program earn an average of $20,400 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Wright State University - Main Campus

14
32 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#10 Best Quality In OH

Baldwin Wallace College is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Berea.

There were roughly 32 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Baldwin Wallace College in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theater program earn an average of $17,500 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Baldwin Wallace University

17
31 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MI
#10 Best Quality In MI

Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Ypsilanti.

There were about 31 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the theater program state that they receive average early career earnings of $19,100.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Eastern Michigan University

18
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
30 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MI
#5 Best Quality In MI

Oakland is a large public university located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Michigan.

There were roughly 30 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Oakland in the most recent data year.

Drama & Theater Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Oakland University receive an earnings boost of around $3,738 above the typical earnings of drama and theater arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Oakland University

18
30 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MI
#6 Best Quality In MI

Wayne State is a very large public university located in the large city of Detroit. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Michigan.

There were approximately 30 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Wayne State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theater program earn about $21,100 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Wayne State University

18
30 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#7 Most Popular In IL
#13 Best Quality In IL

Millikin is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Decatur.

There were about 30 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Millikin in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theater program earn an average of $20,100 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Millikin University

18
30 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#5 Best Quality In WI

Located in the distant town of Stevens Point, UW - Stevens Point is a public university with a medium-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 30 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Stevens Point in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

22
27 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#8 Most Popular In IL
#5 Best Quality In IL

Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in drama and theater arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 27 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in drama and theater arts from Loyola University Chicago

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
26 Otterbein University Westerville, OH
27 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
27 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
27 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
30 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
23 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
24 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
24 Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL

Best Drama & Theater Arts Colleges by State

Explore the most popular drama and theater arts schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 255 285
Ohio 246 426
Illinois 231 750
Indiana 227 277
Wisconsin 209 244

View All Rankings >

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

Theater Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Theater Arts 1,423
Musical Theater 201
Acting 193
Theater Design & Technology 161
Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft 67
Directing & Theatrical Production 17
Playwriting & Screenwriting 9
Theatre Literature, History & Criticism 9
Theatre and Dance 3
Costume Design 1

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 3,805
Design & Applied Arts 3,166
Music 2,336
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 1,384
Arts & Media Management 424
Dance 329
General Visual & Performing Arts 221
Other Visual Art 112
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 21

Notes and References

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