2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California
Drama & Theater Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 145 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for drama & theater arts students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall drama & theater arts education in California.
Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts
San Jose State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 20 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from San Jose State University
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 32 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $20,503 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $16,852 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
Pepperdine University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. There were roughly 22 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Pepperdine University earn around $57,582 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #4. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 107 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $24,644 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Chapman University
Sonoma State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #5. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Sonoma State University earn around $51,140 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,078.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Sonoma State University
University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 233 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $21,619 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #7 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 79 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $19,673. Typical student debt for the program is $16,970.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of California Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount University came in at #8 for drama & theater arts this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 140 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $26,717 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Davis landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 12 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of California Davis earn around $19,398 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
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Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #10 for drama & theater arts this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 20 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Vanguard University Of Southern California earn around $80,727 in the first couple years of their career. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Vanguard University Of Southern California
University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 101 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $22,579 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,862.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of California Irvine
University Of California Berkeley landed the #12 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 31 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley 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. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of California Berkeley
California State University Fullerton landed the #13 spot for drama & theater arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 84 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $21,580 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from California State University Fullerton
San Diego State University placed #14 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data 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.
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Occidental College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 14 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Occidental College in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $41,514 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,967.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Occidental College
California State University Sacramento landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $23,000 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,221.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from California State University Sacramento
San Francisco State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 38 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $23,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of California San Diego came in at #18 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 83 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $16,192 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,650.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of California San Diego
California State University Long Beach earned the #19 position for drama & theater arts this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 76 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $19,231 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for California State University Long Beach
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #20 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 27 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $21,638 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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California State University Northridge landed the #21 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 47 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $17,524 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $17,863 in student loans.
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California State University Chico placed #22 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Chico awarded about 15 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from California State University Chico earn around $45,591 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for California State University Chico
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 22 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $49,427 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete this degree.
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California State University East Bay came in at #24 for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans.
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Diablo Valley College came in at #25 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Diablo Valley College awarded about 31 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Diablo Valley College
Rest of the Top 50 Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts ranking:
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 145 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
