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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their drama and theater arts graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send drama and theater arts graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Illinois State University, our #1 for drama and theater arts graduate salaries in Illinois. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Illinois State University typically earn about $39,893 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Northwestern University earned it the #2 place for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of about $47,619 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in drama and theater arts will find them at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school located in the town of Carbondale. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $35,096 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $38,201 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $38,862 per year.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,366.
Millikin University earned the #7 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,442.
Depaul University came in at #8 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $33,700 per year.
North Central College landed the #9 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from North Central College typically earn about $34,084 annually.
Columbia College Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,746.
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #11 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University make a median of around $30,435 per year.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #12 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of about $33,133 a year early in their careers.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #13 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of about $20,326 a year early in their careers.
Roosevelt University came in at #14 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Roosevelt University typically earn about $15,396 annually.
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 · 14 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.