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 3 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.
The University Of Tennessee tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $35,606 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Memphis earned it the #2 place for drama and theater arts. University Of Memphis is a public school located in the city of Memphis. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of about $25,644 a year early in their careers.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $17,860.
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 · 3 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.