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 6 schools on the early-career earnings of their drama and theater arts graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose drama and theater arts graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in drama and theater arts, no school beat University Of Notre Dame this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Notre Dame make a median of around $62,555 per year.
Indiana State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Indiana State University is a public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,582.
Ball State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Ball State University make a median of around $32,171 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,778.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #5 place for drama and theater arts. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana typically earn about $23,461 annually.
University Of Evansville landed the #6 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Evansville make a median of around $23,407 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 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.