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2027 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

43 Colleges in the United States
1,621 Drama & Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$27,135 Avg Early-Career Salary

Drama & Theater Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools to find the best for drama & theater arts students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall drama & theater arts education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts

1

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for drama & theater arts. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 127 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Northwestern University earn around $22,525 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 38 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $59,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Notre Dame

4
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Xavier University

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 22 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Purdue University Main Campus

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 56 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $17,577 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

7

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 107 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $25,070. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,349. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

9

Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 38 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $20,815 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Indiana University Bloomington

10

Illinois State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $28,958. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $24,246 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Illinois State University

11

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 28 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $23,920 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

12

Loyola University Chicago came in at #12 for drama & theater arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 26 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Loyola University Chicago

13
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #13 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 33 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $17,328 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Michigan State University

14
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 125 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,592. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Depaul University

15

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #15 position for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 43 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Ohio University Main Campus

16

Ball State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 54 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $23,748 early in their careers. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $24,984 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Ball State University

17

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #17 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $14,938. Typical student debt for the program is $21,238. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Illinois At Chicago

18

Kent State University At Kent placed #18 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 58 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $24,565 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Kent State University At Kent

19

Sinclair Community College came in at #19 for drama & theater arts this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. About 14 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $35,348 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,525. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Sinclair Community College

20

Western Michigan University came in at #20 for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kalamazoo. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 41 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Western Michigan University earn around $21,585 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,950. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Western Michigan University

21

Northern Illinois University placed #21 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 37 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $21,398 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Northern Illinois University

22

Columbia College Chicago placed #22 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 52% of students finish within six years. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 165 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $17,929. Students borrow a median of $26,977 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Columbia College Chicago

23

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #23 for drama & theater arts this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $21,900. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus

24

Youngstown State University came in at #24 for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Youngstown. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 13 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $24,933. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Youngstown State University

25

University Of Evansville earned the #25 position for drama & theater arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evansville. University Of Evansville graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Evansville in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $23,407 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,727. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Evansville

Rest of the Top 43 Drama & Theater Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for drama & theater arts this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
31
32
33
34
35
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
36
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
37
38
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
39
40
41
42
43

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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