Where you study theater arts matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Theater Arts Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Theater Arts Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Theater Arts in the United States
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 theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theater arts. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 122 theater arts degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $22,525 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
Read more about the theater arts program at Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #2. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 12 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in theater arts from San Jose State University
A rank of #3 makes Wesleyan University one of the top schools for theater arts. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 14 theater arts degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Wesleyan University
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 38 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $32,221 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,613.
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James Madison University came in at #6 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 55 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $24,306. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for James Madison University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #7 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the 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.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,762 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of Georgia
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #9 for theater arts this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 32 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,503 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,852 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Notre Dame earned the #10 position for theater arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $37,531 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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American University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. American University awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from American University generally make around $23,979. Typical student debt for the program is $24,989.
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The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #12 for theater arts this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Florida landed the #13 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 51 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,453 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,142 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Florida
Sonoma State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. About 58% of students finish within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 13 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,078 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Sonoma State University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #15 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 33 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $22,610 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,112 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of California Berkeley
Purdue University Main Campus placed #16 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #17 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 30 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $17,577 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #18 position for theater arts this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 19 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
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San Diego State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 49 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,538 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for San Diego State University
Cuny Hunter College earned the #20 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 28 theater arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $25,059. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091.
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New York University placed #21 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 424 theater arts degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from New York University earn around $32,829 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,762 in student loans.
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Chapman University came in at #22 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Chapman University earn around $24,644 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Chapman University
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #23 among the best theater arts schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $24,770 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
See the full theater arts program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Southern California ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 41 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $21,619. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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University Of Utah ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. About 53 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $20,701. Typical student debt for the program is $20,316.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Utah
Rest of the Top 50 Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 261 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).
