2027 Best Musical Theater Schools in New York
Musical Theater degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for musical theater students.
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Best Schools for Musical Theater in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall musical theater education in New York.
Top Schools in Musical Theater
No school ranked higher than Syracuse University this year for musical theater. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from Syracuse University earn around $20,988 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Ithaca College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in musical theater, ranking #2. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ithaca. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 musical theater students who graduated with this degree at Ithaca College in the most recent data year. Musical Theater graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $18,243 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in musical theater from Ithaca College
A rank of #3 makes Manhattan School Of Music one of the top schools for musical theater. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 78% of students finish within six years. Manhattan School Of Music awarded about 23 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Manhattan School Of Music generally make around $29,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in musical theater from Manhattan School Of Music
A rank of #4 makes Manhattanville College one of the top schools for musical theater. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 12 musical theater degrees were awarded at Manhattanville College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $46,551. Students borrow a median of $25,372 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes American Musical And Dramatic Academy one of the top schools for musical theater. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 144 musical theater degrees were awarded at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from American Musical And Dramatic Academy generally make around $16,900. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
See the full musical theater program report for American Musical And Dramatic Academy
The New School ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best musical theater schools. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. About 31 musical theater degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from The New School earn around $21,335 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in musical theater from The New School
Suny At Purchase College landed the #7 spot for musical theater this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Suny At Purchase College graduates 63% of students within six years. About 23 musical theater degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Musical Theater graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Suny At Fredonia placed #8 among the best musical theater schools. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Suny At Fredonia awarded about 17 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their musical theater degree from Suny At Fredonia earn around $20,453 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full musical theater program report for Suny At Fredonia
Marymount Manhattan College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best musical theater schools. Set in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Marymount Manhattan College awarded about 53 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the musical theater program make about $19,562 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full musical theater program report for Marymount Manhattan College
Pace University New York came in at #10 for musical theater this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pace University New York awarded about 23 musical theater degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, musical theater degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $17,946. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full musical theater details for Pace University New York
More Musical Theater Rankings
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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 · 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
