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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose drama and theater arts graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Wisconsin Madison tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools in Wisconsin. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Wisconsin Madison make a median of around $45,074 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned it the #2 place for drama and theater arts. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,963.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #3 place for drama and theater arts. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,748.
Carthage College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Carthage College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Carthage College earn a median of about $28,727 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $35,227 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,607.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #7 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,306.
Viterbo University landed the #8 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Viterbo University typically earn about $19,930 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 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.