2027 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Drama & Theater Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools to find the best for drama & theater arts students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region
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.
Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts
Our analysis ranked University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus the best school in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
American University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #2. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from American University generally make around $23,979. Typical student debt for the program is $24,989.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for American University
Cuny Hunter College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 31 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $25,059 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091.
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New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 549 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $32,829 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,762 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at Rutgers University New Brunswick, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 49 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $24,770. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Rutgers University New Brunswick
Syracuse University placed #6 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 73 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Syracuse University earn around $20,988 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Syracuse University
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #7 for drama & theater arts this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. About 54% of students finish within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 55 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $29,622 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Cuny Brooklyn College
Drexel University came in at #8 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans.
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Ithaca College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 89 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Ithaca College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $18,243 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Maryland College Park ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 35 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $17,985 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,681.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Maryland College Park
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for drama & theater arts this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $20,935 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #12 for drama & theater arts this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 68 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $27,391. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Vassar College earned the #13 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $19,339 early in their careers. Vassar College graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
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West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 15 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year.
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Suny At Binghamton placed #15 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 13 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $18,920 in their early career. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Suny At Binghamton
Fordham University earned the #16 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 40 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Fordham University earn around $14,133 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $27,886 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University At Buffalo ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $25,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete this degree.
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Niagara University came in at #19 for drama & theater arts this year. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. About 74% of students finish within six years. Niagara University awarded about 14 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Niagara University earn around $51,918 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete this degree.
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Towson University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Towson University earn a median of $19,871 early in their careers. Towson University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Towson University
Manhattan School Of Music landed the #21 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Manhattan School Of Music earn around $29,400 in the first couple years of their career. Manhattan School Of Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Rowan University landed the #22 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Rowan University earn around $18,558 in the first couple years of their career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Rowan University
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #23 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 18 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,169. Typical student debt for the program is $26,330.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #24 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $17,381 in their early career. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates carry a median of $18,812 in student loans.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Temple University earned the #25 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 99 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Temple University earn around $19,269 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Temple University
Rest of the Top 50 Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts ranking:
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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 · 64 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.