by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drama And Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a drama and theater arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send drama and theater arts graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Sonoma State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Sonoma State University typically earn about $55,622 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in drama and theater arts will find them at St Olaf College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of about $51,796 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in drama and theater arts will find them at Kean University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Kean University make a median of around $50,604 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Brandeis University one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of about $49,873 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of about $62,555 a year early in their careers.
Georgia College And State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Georgia College And State University typically earn about $46,556 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $45,074 annually.
Keene State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Keene State College make a median of around $44,848 per year.
Santa Clara University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Santa Clara University make a median of around $43,499 per year.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #10 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public school located in the city of La Crosse. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse typically earn about $42,963 annually.
Stony Brook University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of about $42,521 a year early in their careers.
Metropolitan State University came in at #12 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,432.
Pepperdine University landed the #13 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of about $41,597 a year early in their careers.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Massachusetts Amherst make a median of around $41,063 per year.
University Of Kansas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Kansas make a median of around $40,270 per year.
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #16 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of about $38,160 a year early in their careers.
Manhattanville College came in at #17 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Manhattanville College make a median of around $37,988 per year.
Eastern Michigan University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University typically earn about $37,917 annually.
Berea College came in at #19 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Berea College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Berea College make a median of around $37,255 per year.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #20 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,675.
Southern Utah University earned the #21 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Southern Utah University typically earn about $48,419 annually.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #22 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,334.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,512.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #24 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota make a median of around $34,228 per year.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the suburb of West Chester. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $34,156 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid drama and theater arts ranking:
A few more high-earning drama and theater arts schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | University Of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | $42,847 | Full Report |
| #52 | University At Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | $37,364 | Full Report |
| #53 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | $35,096 | Full Report |
| #54 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | $26,137 | Full Report |
| #55 | University Of Minnesota Duluth | Duluth, MN | $35,394 | Full Report |
| #56 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX | $42,548 | Full Report |
| #57 | University Of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | $41,807 | Full Report |
| #58 | Lindenwood University | Saint Charles, MO | $37,528 | Full Report |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Drama And Theater Arts rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their drama and theater arts graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
