2027 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Virginia
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 9 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 Virginia
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
No school ranked higher than James Madison University this year for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. 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. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from James Madison University earn around $24,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from James Madison University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $36,557 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,637.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 64 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $22,447. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Virginia Commonwealth University
George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from George Mason University earn around $22,984 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at George Mason University
Liberty University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 18 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Liberty University earn around $45,877 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Liberty University
Shenandoah University landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 51 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Shenandoah University earn around $17,818 in the first couple years of their career. Shenandoah University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Shenandoah University
Old Dominion University earned the #7 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 12 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $57,131 in their early career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Old Dominion University
Regent University landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Regent University earn around $43,319 in the first couple years of their career. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Regent University
Mary Baldwin College landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. Mary Baldwin College graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $60,386 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,562.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Mary Baldwin College
More Drama & Theater Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 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.
