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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 5 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.
For graduate earnings in drama and theater arts, no school beat Lindenwood University this year. 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.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,897.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying drama and theater arts schools. University Of Central Missouri is a public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students who complete the drama and theater arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,635.
Strong graduate earnings at Webster University earned it the #4 place for drama and theater arts. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Webster University typically earn about $36,285 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in drama and theater arts will find them at Stephens College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, drama and theater arts degree recipients from Stephens College typically earn about $16,476 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 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.