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.
College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools.
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.
Leading the list is Georgia College And State University, our #1 for drama and theater arts graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,556.
Strong graduate earnings at Berea College earned it the #2 place for drama and theater arts. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College 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 $37,255.
Strong graduate earnings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #3 place for drama and theater arts. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of about $35,675 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Montevallo earned it the #4 place for drama and theater arts. University Of Montevallo is a public school located in the town of Montevallo. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Montevallo make a median of around $33,007 per year.
Elon University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Elon University typically earn about $43,297 annually.
Valdosta State University came in at #6 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Valdosta State University typically earn about $29,320 annually.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $35,949 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arkansas landed the #8 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. University Of Arkansas is a public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of about $34,120 a year early in their careers.
College Of Charleston landed the #9 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. College Of Charleston is a public school located in the city of Charleston. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from College Of Charleston typically earn about $39,880 annually.
University Of Central Florida ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,631.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #11 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College make a median of around $38,130 per year.
The University Of West Florida came in at #12 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,625.
University Of New Orleans placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,929.
Western Carolina University landed the #14 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,165.
The University Of Tennessee placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,606.
James Madison University earned the #16 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,339.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #17 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of about $26,670 a year early in their careers.
University Of Kentucky ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Kentucky make a median of around $35,087 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #19 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. 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 $26,457.
Rollins College placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Rollins College make a median of around $29,650 per year.
Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #21 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design typically earn about $33,955 annually.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earned the #22 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,642.
West Virginia University earned the #23 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from West Virginia University make a median of around $25,285 per year.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #24 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $29,450 a year early in their careers.
Spelman College landed the #25 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Spelman College earn a median of about $25,129 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send drama and theater arts graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 64 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.
