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 schools below stand out for the salaries their drama and theater arts graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where drama and theater arts graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose drama and theater arts graduates go on to earn the most.
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for highest-paid drama and theater arts graduates in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of about $61,569 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of California Santa Cruz make a median of around $39,217 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Chapman University one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Chapman University earn a median of about $36,723 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Art University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,635.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,550.
University Of Southern California landed the #6 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $55,652 annually.
California Institute Of The Arts landed the #7 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from California Institute Of The Arts typically earn about $32,874 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #8 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $30,331 per year.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #9 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas typically earn about $25,423 annually.
California State University Fullerton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $24,978 annually.
University Of California Irvine ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,696.
New York Film Academy earned the #12 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,990.
University Of California San Diego landed the #13 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of California San Diego typically earn about $26,372 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries drama and theater arts graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 13 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.