Drama & Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their drama & theater arts programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 359 schools to find the best for drama & theater arts students.
Where you study drama & theater arts matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Drama & Theater Arts School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the drama & theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Northwestern University tops our 2027 ranking of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 127 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $22,525 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 12 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at San Jose State University
Wesleyan University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Wesleyan University awarded about 14 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Wesleyan University
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 38 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $59,877 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 18 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $32,221 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,613 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
James Madison University placed #6 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 55 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $24,306 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for James Madison University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 15 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $56,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 41 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $20,762 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,399.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Georgia
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #9 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 32 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $20,503 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,852.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Notre Dame came in at #10 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 31 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $37,531 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of Notre Dame
American University earned the #11 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. American University awarded about 25 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from American University generally make around $23,979. American University graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from American University
Pepperdine University placed #12 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 21 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Pepperdine University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #13 spot for drama & theater arts this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 89 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from The University Of Texas At Austin
Xavier University came in at #14 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Xavier University awarded about 13 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Xavier University
University Of Florida placed #15 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Florida earn around $25,453 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,142 to complete this degree.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of Florida
Sonoma State University landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 13 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Students borrow a median of $21,078 to complete this degree.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Sonoma State University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #17 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 33 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $22,610 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,112 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of California Berkeley
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #19 among the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Missouri Columbia
San Diego State University earned the #21 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 58 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $20,538 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for San Diego State University
Cuny Hunter College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $25,059 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Cuny Hunter College
New York University earned the #23 position for drama & theater arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 549 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from New York University generally make around $32,829. Typical student debt for the program is $21,762.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for New York University
Chapman University came in at #24 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 101 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Chapman University earn around $24,644 in the first couple years of their career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Chapman University
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #25 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,770 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Rest of the Top 50 Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for drama & theater arts this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 359 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
