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 11 schools to find where drama and theater arts graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose drama and theater arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the top school for drama and theater arts graduate earnings in California. California State University Northridge is a public school located in the city of Northridge. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $61,569 annually.
University Of California Santa Cruz produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $39,217 a year early in their careers.
Chapman University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Chapman University make a median of around $36,723 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in drama and theater arts will find them at Academy Of Art University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Academy Of Art University typically earn about $36,635 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Loyola Marymount University one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Loyola Marymount University make a median of around $42,550 per year.
University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $55,652 a year early in their careers.
California Institute Of The Arts landed the #7 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of about $32,874 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton landed the #8 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $24,978 annually.
University Of California Irvine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of California Irvine make a median of around $24,696 per year.
New York Film Academy came in at #10 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. New York Film Academy is a private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from New York Film Academy make a median of around $36,990 per year.
University Of California San Diego earned the #11 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,372.
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 · 11 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.