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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts

184 Colleges in the United States
1,684 Master's Degrees
$28,489 Avg Early-Career Salary
A master's degree in drama and theater arts is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #78 out of 326 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. As a result, there are many colleges that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

College Factual reviewed 184 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for master's degree seekers in the field of drama and theater arts. Combined, these schools handed out 1,684 master's degrees in drama and theater arts to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

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

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in theater matters. We created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality drama and theater arts program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

More Ways to Rank Drama & Theater Arts Schools

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

This is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. Plus, you can view our other rankings for drama and theater arts.

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for drama and theater arts students seeking a a master's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Theater Students Working on Their Master's

1
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
102 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at New York University if you want to pursue a master's degree in drama and theater arts. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in New York.

There were about 102 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

Those drama and theater arts students who get their master's degree from New York University make $9,711 more than the average theater graduate.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from New York University

2
58 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#21 Best Quality In CA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at New York Film Academy if you want to pursue a master's degree in drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

There were roughly 58 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at New York Film Academy in the most recent data year.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the theater program earn around $17,800 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from New York Film Academy

3
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
45 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
#1 Best Quality In CT

Yale University is a popular option for individuals interested in a master's degree in drama and theater arts. Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of New Haven. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Connecticut.

There were about 45 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the theater program state that they receive average early career income of $25,000.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Yale University

4
44 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#2 Best Quality In GA

Savannah College of Art and Design is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in drama and theater arts. Located in the medium-sized city of Savannah, SCAD is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Georgia.

There were roughly 44 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at SCAD in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the theater program report average early career income of $28,200.

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

5
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
42 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#15 Best Quality In CA

Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the large city of San Francisco.

There were roughly 42 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Academy of Art University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Academy of Art University

6
41 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in California.

There were roughly 41 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's recipients from the drama and theater arts major at University of Southern California earn $2,311 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from University of Southern California

7
37 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#3 Best Quality In NY

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in New York.

There were about 37 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the drama and theater arts degree program at Columbia University in the City of New York make $3,111 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Columbia University in the City of New York

8
32 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#11 Best Quality In NY

Pace University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York.

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

Soon after graduating, theater master's recipients usually make an average of $23,500 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Pace University - New York

8
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
32 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#5 Best Quality In VA

Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent 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 master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Virginia.

There were approximately 32 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Regent in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Regent University

10
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
31 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#1 Best Quality In FL

Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Florida.

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

Drama & Theater Arts master's degree recipients from Florida State University get an earnings boost of about $7,711 over the average income of drama and theater arts graduates.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Florida State University

11
30 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

CalArts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in California.

There were approximately 30 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at CalArts in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, theater master's recipients typically earn about $27,300 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from California Institute of the Arts

12
26 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In CA
#6 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in California.

There were about 26 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the theater program state that they receive average early career wages of $23,800.

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

12
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
26 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#4 Best Quality In IL

DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Illinois.

There were about 26 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, theater master's recipients generally earn about $22,400 in the first five years of their career.

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

14
25 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#3 Best Quality In TX

UH is a very large public university located in the large city of Houston. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Texas.

There were roughly 25 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UH in the most recent data year.

Master's students who receive their degree from the theater program make an average of $26,200 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from University of Houston

15
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#1 Best Quality In PA

Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Pittsburgh. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 24 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

Drama & Theater Arts master's degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University receive an earnings boost of approximately $4,711 over the typical earnings of drama and theater arts graduates.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Carnegie Mellon University

16
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
22 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In RI
#1 Best Quality In RI

Brown is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Providence. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Rhode Island.

There were roughly 22 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the theater program state that they receive average early career wages of $21,400.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Brown University

17
21 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Illinois.

There were roughly 21 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

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

17
21 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In VA
#6 Best Quality In VA

Located in the small city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Virginia.

There were roughly 21 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Mary Baldwin in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the theater program report average early career earnings of $25,500.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Mary Baldwin University

17
New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
21 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#9 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, New School University is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in New York.

There were roughly 21 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, theater master's recipients typically make around $26,400 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from The New School

20
20 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CT
#2 Best Quality In CT

UCONN is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Storrs. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Connecticut.

There were about 20 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from University of Connecticut

20
20 Annual Master's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In CA
#2 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine 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 master's degrees in drama and theater arts in California.

There were approximately 20 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from University of California - Irvine

22
19 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#3 Best Quality In FL

Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Florida.

There were about 19 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from University of Central Florida

22
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA
19 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#3 Best Quality In MA

Emerson is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Boston. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 19 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Emerson in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Emerson College

22
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
19 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#2 Best Quality In MA

Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in drama and theater arts in Massachusetts.

There were about 19 drama and theater arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Boston University

25
18 Annual Master's Degrees
#7 Most Popular In CA
#12 Best Quality In CA

Located in the medium-sized city of Orange, Chapman is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were roughly 18 drama and theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in drama and theater arts from Chapman University

25
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27
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Drama & Theater Arts students that almost earned our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts award.

Rank College Location
28 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
28 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
28 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
28 University of Idaho Moscow, ID
28 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
33 George Washington University Washington, DC
33 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
33 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
33 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX

Drama & Theater Arts by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 10 majors within the Visual & Performing Arts area of study, Drama & Theater Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Theater Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Theater Arts 819
Playwriting & Screenwriting 335
Acting 189
Theater Design & Technology 176
Directing & Theatrical Production 75
Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft 60
Costume Design 17
Musical Theater 11
Theatre Literature, History & Criticism 2

Related Major Annual Graduates
Music 6,038
Fine & Studio Arts 3,082
Design & Applied Arts 1,987
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 1,837
Arts & Media Management 1,155
General Visual & Performing Arts 355
Other Visual Art 291
Dance 219
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 6

Notes and References

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