Musical Theater is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools to find the best for musical theater students.
Where you study musical theater matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Musical Theater rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Musical Theater Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Musical Theater in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the musical theater degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is American University, our #1 school for musical theater. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $23,979 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in musical theater from American University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in musical theater, ranking #2. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 21 musical theater degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Musical Theater graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $17,577 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
Get the full musical theater details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Elon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #3 spot this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 15 musical theater degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $24,345 in their early career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans.
See the full musical theater program report for Elon University
Emerson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Emerson College graduates 77% of students within six years. Emerson College awarded about 12 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Emerson College generally make around $29,435. Emerson College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the musical theater program at Emerson College
Syracuse University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in musical theater, landing the #5 spot this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 28 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $20,988. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the musical theater program at Syracuse University
University Of California Irvine placed #6 among the best musical theater schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 11 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $22,579 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,862 to complete this degree.
Read more about the musical theater program at University Of California Irvine
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for musical theater this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 10 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $20,815 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the musical theater program at Indiana University Bloomington
Samford University earned the #8 position for musical theater this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 10 musical theater degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $64,132 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree.
See the full musical theater program report for Samford University
Ithaca College placed #9 among the best musical theater schools. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ithaca College awarded about 21 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $18,243 in their early career. Ithaca College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full musical theater program report for Ithaca College
Texas State University San Marcos placed #10 among the best musical theater schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $26,045. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the musical theater program at Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Arizona placed #11 among the best musical theater schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $26,048. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete this degree.
See the full musical theater program report for University Of Arizona
Texas Christian University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best musical theater schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 13 musical theater degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from Texas Christian University earn around $21,221 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in musical theater from Texas Christian University
Manhattan School Of Music placed #13 among the best musical theater schools. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Manhattan School Of Music awarded about 23 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from Manhattan School Of Music earn around $29,400 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the musical theater program at Manhattan School Of Music
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best musical theater schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Musical Theater graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
See the full musical theater program report for Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #15 position for musical theater this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 10 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $26,670 in their early career. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans.
See the full musical theater program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Temple University landed the #16 spot for musical theater this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from Temple University earn around $19,269 in the first couple years of their career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full musical theater program report for Temple University
Florida Southern College came in at #17 for musical theater this year. Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. About 70% of students finish within six years. Florida Southern College awarded about 11 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $22,336. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the musical theater program at Florida Southern College
Manhattanville College earned the #18 position for musical theater this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at Manhattanville College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from Manhattanville College earn around $46,551 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,372.
See the full musical theater program report for Manhattanville College
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best musical theater schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. University Of Northern Colorado graduates 51% of students within six years. About 12 musical theater degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from University Of Northern Colorado earn around $42,124 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
Get the full musical theater details for University Of Northern Colorado
American Musical And Dramatic Academy placed #20 among the best musical theater schools. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 144 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent data year. Musical Theater graduates of American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn a median of $16,900 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
More information about a degree in musical theater from American Musical And Dramatic Academy
The New School placed #21 among the best musical theater schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from The New School generally make around $21,335. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the musical theater program at The New School
Suny At Purchase College landed the #22 spot for musical theater this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Purchase. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 musical theater degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,090. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full musical theater program report for Suny At Purchase College
Kent State University At Kent ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best musical theater schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 musical theater degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Musical Theater graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $24,565 early in their careers. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the musical theater program at Kent State University At Kent
Suny At Fredonia landed the #24 spot for musical theater this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Suny At Fredonia awarded about 17 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $20,453 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the musical theater program at Suny At Fredonia
Western Michigan University earned the #25 position for musical theater this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from Western Michigan University earn around $21,585 in the first couple years of their career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans.
Get the full musical theater details for Western Michigan University
Rest of the Top 42 Musical Theater Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s musical theater ranking:
Musical Theater is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
