2027 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
Drama & Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their drama & theater arts programs.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best drama & theater arts schools.
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Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall drama & theater arts education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts
The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 89 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $26,753 early in their careers. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,871 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,337.
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Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 42 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $25,301 early in their careers. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $19,606 in student loans.
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Texas State University San Marcos came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 198 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $26,045 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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Northern Arizona University landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 18 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $23,043 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,966.
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University Of North Texas came in at #7 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. About 64 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $28,236 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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University Of Arizona landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 35 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $26,048 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,725.
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University Of Houston earned the #9 position for drama & theater arts this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 39 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $61,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,255.
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Southern Methodist University came in at #10 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $23,831 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
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Texas Christian University landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 31 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $21,221 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Sam Houston State University earned the #12 position for drama & theater arts this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sam Houston State University awarded about 41 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $21,858 in their early career. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
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Texas Womans University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 18 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Typical student debt for the program is $24,211.
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West Texas A And M University came in at #14 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 23 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $25,036 early in their careers. West Texas A And M University graduates carry a median of $22,328 in student loans.
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Baylor University earned the #15 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 26 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $20,267 early in their careers. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $24,130 in student loans.
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Scottsdale Community College earned the #16 position for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Scottsdale. About 28 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,084.
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Stephen F Austin State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This large public university is located in the town of Nacogdoches. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 35 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Stephen F Austin State University earn around $29,945 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Abilene Christian University came in at #18 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Abilene Christian University earn around $56,463 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772.
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Austin Community College District placed #19 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 15 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519.
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Oklahoma City University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 29 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Oklahoma City University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Oklahoma City University earn around $20,696 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Texas Tech University came in at #21 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 33 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $28,933 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #22 position for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 31 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $26,474 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #23 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $25,050. Students borrow a median of $22,658 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
Mesa Community College came in at #24 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Mesa Community College awarded about 19 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
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Lone Star College System ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Lone Star College System awarded about 14 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,425.
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Rest of the Top 38 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 · 38 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.
