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 5 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.
New York University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid drama and theater arts graduates in New York. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from New York University make a median of around $59,636 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in drama and theater arts will find them at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a public school located in the city of Brooklyn. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College typically earn about $52,804 annually.
Pace University New York produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,121.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $36,696 per year.
The New School produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from The New School make a median of around $18,882 per year.
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 · 5 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.