by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drama And Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a drama and theater arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 48 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.
University Of Idaho tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools in the United States. University Of Idaho is a public school located in the town of Moscow. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Idaho make a median of around $64,954 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University Northridge earned it the #2 place for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $61,569 annually.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school located in the city of Richmond. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $61,519 annually.
University Of Northern Colorado produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Northern Colorado make a median of around $59,486 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Houston earned it the #5 place for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston typically earn about $54,968 annually.
University Of Central Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of about $53,911 a year early in their careers.
New York University came in at #7 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of New York University earn a median of about $59,636 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #8 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro make a median of around $50,373 per year.
University Of New Orleans came in at #9 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. University Of New Orleans is a public school located in the city of New Orleans. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of New Orleans typically earn about $48,464 annually.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from The University Of Texas At Austin make a median of around $54,170 per year.
Yale University landed the #11 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Yale University earn a median of about $44,472 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of about $52,804 a year early in their careers.
Regent University came in at #13 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent 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 $43,319.
Mary Baldwin College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Mary Baldwin College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College typically earn about $42,480 annually.
Emerson College came in at #15 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Emerson College make a median of around $39,309 per year.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #16 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings 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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,985.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #18 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon 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 $62,017.
Florida State University landed the #19 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Florida State University typically earn about $45,573 annually.
Chapman University ranked #20 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. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Chapman University typically earn about $36,723 annually.
Academy Of Art University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Academy Of Art University typically earn about $36,635 annually.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #22 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount 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 $42,550.
University Of Southern California earned the #23 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California 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 $55,652.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of about $45,171 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $34,588 a year early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning drama and theater arts graduates:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Drama And Theater Arts rankings across degree levels:
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 · 48 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.