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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find where drama and theater arts graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose drama and theater arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools in Texas. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts make a median of around $22,055 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Stephen F Austin State University one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University typically earn about $43,334 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Houston earned it the #3 place for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Houston make a median of around $54,968 per year.
University Of North Texas produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drama and theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Texas is a public school located in the city of Denton. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas typically earn about $40,282 annually.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $54,170 a year early in their careers.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,459.
West Texas A And M University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,814.
Sam Houston State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Sam Houston State University is a public school located in the town of Huntsville. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Sam Houston State University make a median of around $42,548 per year.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi typically earn about $36,799 annually.
Texas Tech University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Texas Tech University make a median of around $28,933 per year.
Southern Methodist University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $34,577 a year early in their careers.
Saint Edwards University earned the #12 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Saint Edwards University make a median of around $44,767 per year.
Texas Christian University landed the #13 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Texas Christian University typically earn about $36,422 annually.
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #14 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of about $27,295 a year early in their careers.
Baylor University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Baylor University earn a median of about $36,480 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of about $26,474 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school located in the city of Edinburg. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $28,318 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 17 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.