2027 Best Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theater arts programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools to find the best for theater arts students.
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Best Schools for Theater Arts in the United States
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in theater arts, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
Leading the list is American Musical And Dramatic Academy, our #1 school for theater arts. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 221 theater arts degrees were awarded at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn a median of $15,909 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
Read more about the theater arts program at American Musical And Dramatic Academy
Scottsdale Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Typical student debt for the program is $13,084.
Get the full theater arts details for Scottsdale Community College
Utah Valley University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 theater arts degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Utah Valley University earn around $23,896 in the first couple years of their career. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Utah Valley University
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Diablo Valley College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 37 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $27,813 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Diablo Valley College
Moorpark College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. Moorpark College awarded about 32 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Moorpark College
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #6 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $80,047 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Santa Rosa Junior College
Orange Coast College earned the #7 position for theater arts this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 16 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Orange Coast College
Sinclair Community College came in at #8 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. About 11 theater arts degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Sinclair Community College
Salt Lake Community College earned the #9 position for theater arts this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $42,031 in their early career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Salt Lake Community College
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $15,314. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Cuny Laguardia Community College
Lone Star College System earned the #11 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Lone Star College System awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $39,954 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,425.
See the full theater arts program report for Lone Star College System
Monroe Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Monroe Community College awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Monroe Community College graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Monroe Community College
Santa Monica College came in at #13 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 13 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year.
Read more about the theater arts program at Santa Monica College
Cypress College landed the #14 spot for theater arts this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Cypress College awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full theater arts program report for Cypress College
Snow College placed #15 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Snow College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Snow College earn around $42,776 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Snow College
Saddleback College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Saddleback College earn around $15,890 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707.
Read more about the theater arts program at Saddleback College
College Of The Canyons came in at #17 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 20 theater arts degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from College Of The Canyons
Fullerton College landed the #18 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 21 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Fullerton College in the most recent data year.
Read more about the theater arts program at Fullerton College
Grossmont College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of El Cajon. Grossmont College awarded about 16 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full theater arts details for Grossmont College
Riverside City College earned the #20 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Riverside City College awarded about 17 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,767.
Read more about the theater arts program at Riverside City College
Long Beach City College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 23 theater arts degrees were awarded at Long Beach City College in the most recent year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Long Beach City College
College Of The Mainland ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. There were roughly 19 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Mainland in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at College Of The Mainland
Citrus College came in at #23 for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Glendora. There were roughly 39 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Citrus College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Citrus College
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. College Of Southern Nevada graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at College Of Southern Nevada
Pasadena City College came in at #25 for theater arts this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 24 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans.
Get the full theater arts details for Pasadena City College
Rest of the Top 37 Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts ranking:
Other Theater Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Theater Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Theater Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 37 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.
