by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drama And Theater Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a drama and theater arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 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.
Our analysis ranked St Olaf College the top school for drama and theater arts graduate earnings in the The Plains States Region. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,796.
Metropolitan State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Metropolitan State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from Metropolitan State University make a median of around $42,432 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in drama and theater arts will find them at University Of Kansas, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Kansas make a median of around $40,270 per year.
A rank of #4 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,512.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of about $34,228 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Dakota placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,318.
University Of Iowa placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Iowa typically earn about $42,847 annually.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #8 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth typically earn about $35,394 annually.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #9 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Northern Iowa make a median of around $41,807 per year.
Lindenwood University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Lindenwood University typically earn about $37,528 annually.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #11 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln typically earn about $42,511 annually.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #12 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College typically earn about $28,601 annually.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school located in the city of Springfield. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of about $37,897 a year early in their careers.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #14 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Central Missouri make a median of around $41,635 per year.
Drake University landed the #15 spot for drama and theater arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Drake University typically earn about $36,216 annually.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for drama and theater arts. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school located in the city of Mankato. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato typically earn about $27,720 annually.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Early-career drama and theater arts graduates from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities make a median of around $33,470 per year.
Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #18 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University typically earn about $23,649 annually.
Webster University earned the #19 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,285.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #20 position for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Drama And Theater Arts graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of about $19,541 a year early in their careers.
Stephens College came in at #21 for drama and theater arts graduate earnings this year. Stephens College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $16,476.
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 · 21 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.
