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 schools below stand out for the salaries their drama and theater arts graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 7 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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, our #1 for drama and theater arts graduate salaries in Virginia. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,675.
James Madison University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of James Madison University earn a median of about $30,339 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school located in the city of Richmond. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $29,450 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Radford University earned it the #4 place for drama and theater arts. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Radford University earn a median of about $30,677 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $22,984 a year early in their careers.
Old Dominion University came in at #6 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of about $22,680 a year early in their careers.
Shenandoah University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Shenandoah University typically earn about $29,435 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 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.