by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drama And Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a drama and theater arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 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.
For graduate earnings in drama and theater arts, no school beat Kean University this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Kean University earn a median of about $50,604 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Montclair State University earned it the #2 place for drama and theater arts. Montclair State University is a public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of about $35,768 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University Camden produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden typically earn about $24,770 annually.
Rutgers University New Brunswick produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $24,770 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Rutgers University Newark is a public school located in the city of Newark. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark typically earn about $24,770 annually.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,493.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #7 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham 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 $35,262.
Rowan University earned the #8 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Rowan University is a public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Rowan University typically earn about $22,828 annually.
Drew University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Drew University typically earn about $13,710 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 · 9 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.