2027 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for drama & theater arts students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in the Southeast 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
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 18 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,221 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,613.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #2. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,306 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Georgia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 41 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Georgia earn around $20,762 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,399.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Georgia
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $15,142.
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Belmont University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 28 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447.
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University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 104 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $38,810 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,585 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Central Florida
Florida State University earned the #7 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 88 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Florida State University earn around $25,359 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Florida State University
Elon University earned the #8 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 33 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Elon University earn a median of $24,345 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 23 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $36,557 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $24,637 in student loans.
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Samford University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 13 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Samford University earn around $64,132 in the first couple years of their career. Samford University graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans.
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Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #11 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 64 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $22,447 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875.
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University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earned the #12 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts awarded about 109 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $24,420 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
George Mason University came in at #13 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $22,984 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Auburn University earned the #14 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $20,899 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $23,141 in student loans.
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University Of Arkansas placed #15 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 15 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $25,499. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans.
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University Of Miami came in at #16 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Miami earn around $16,561 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 20 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of South Carolina Columbia
The University Of Tennessee placed #18 among the best drama & theater arts schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 26 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $21,189. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans.
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University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #19 among the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete this degree.
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Lipscomb University placed #20 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 72% of students finish within six years. Lipscomb University awarded about 21 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,732 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,849.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #22 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 37 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $20,290 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Appalachian State University came in at #23 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 31 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Appalachian State University earn around $20,256 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete this degree.
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University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #24 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 22 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $26,670. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans.
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East Carolina University earned the #25 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 29 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $21,295 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for East Carolina 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. 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 · 77 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.