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 13 schools on the early-career earnings of their drama and theater arts graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send drama and theater arts graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for highest-paid drama and theater arts graduates in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $34,156 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $33,169 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Carnegie Mellon University earned it the #3 place for drama and theater arts. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,033.
A rank of #4 makes Temple University one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Temple University is a public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,446.
Muhlenberg College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Muhlenberg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Muhlenberg College typically earn about $37,505 annually.
Point Park University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Point Park University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Point Park University earn a median of about $27,333 a year early in their careers.
Desales University landed the #7 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales 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 $34,759.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Indiana. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of about $23,042 a year early in their careers.
Seton Hill University came in at #9 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Seton Hill University typically earn about $21,239 annually.
Susquehanna University earned the #10 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Susquehanna University typically earn about $20,259 annually.
Community College Of Philadelphia landed the #11 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia typically earn about $13,582 annually.
Arcadia University landed the #12 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Arcadia University make a median of around $18,385 per year.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $17,055 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 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.