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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts

35 Ranked Colleges
63 Degrees Awarded
$35,200 Avg Cost*
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Theater Arts is the 70th most popular major in the country with 11,385 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 63 theater arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major” ranking, we looked at 35 colleges that offer a degree in theater arts. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their theater arts program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Theater Arts Schools

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The theater school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theater Arts

1
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The Graduate Center, CUNY. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major. The Graduate Center is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full The Graduate Center, CUNY Theater Arts Report

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Stanford

3
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tufts University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major. Tufts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Medford, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theater Arts at Tufts University

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Hawaii at Manoa. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major. This fairly large school is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UH Manoa

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major. BGSU is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Theater Arts Report

6
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full Northwestern Theater Arts Report

7
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island

Brown University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Brown

8
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Oregon Theater Arts Report

9

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Theater Arts Report

10

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 5 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State Theater Arts Report

11
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of Kansas

12
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Cornell University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Cornell University Theater Arts Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at UCSD

14

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Columbia

15

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking, coming in at #15. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at UCLA

16

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

17
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theater students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theater Arts at Florida State

18
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Georgia

19

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Louisiana State University Theater Arts Report

20

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking, coming in at #20. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Theater Arts Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of California - Berkeley

22

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Theater Arts at UIUC

23

With a ranking of #23, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s theater degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Theater Arts at University of California - Santa Barbara

24
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

With a ranking of #24, New York University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major list. NYU is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 2 doctorate’s theater degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theater Arts at New York University

25

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Theater Major ranking. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s theater degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theater Arts at University of Missouri - Columbia

Notes and References

References

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