2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in theater arts. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 122 theater arts degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Northwestern University earn around $22,525 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000. Get the full theater arts details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. 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. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $59,877 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $37,531. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Notre Dame

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Purdue University Main Campus

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 30 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $17,577. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $25,070 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,349 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for theater arts this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 23 theater arts degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $20,815 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Indiana University Bloomington

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #9 position for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 62 theater arts degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $28,958 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,246 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Illinois State University

10

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 28 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $23,920. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. More information about a degree in theater arts from Ohio State University Main Campus

11

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #11 among the best theater arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 26 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $58,568 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Loyola University Chicago

12

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #12 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $17,328. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Michigan State University

13

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #13 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 16 theater arts degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,592. Typical student debt for the program is $26,348. More information about a degree in theater arts from Depaul University

14

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #14 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Ball State University awarded about 54 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $23,748. Typical student debt for the program is $24,984. Get the full theater arts details for Ball State University

15

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #15 position for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,565. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Kent State University At Kent

16

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Dayton. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Sinclair Community College graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Sinclair Community College

17

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #17 position for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 37 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $21,398 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Northern Illinois University

18

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago placed #18 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $17,929 early in their careers. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Columbia College Chicago

19

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for theater arts this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 19 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $21,900 early in their careers. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

20

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #20 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 13 theater arts degrees were awarded at Youngstown State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $24,933. Typical student debt for the program is $26,373. See the full theater arts program report for Youngstown State University

21

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 29 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $20,455 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

22

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn around $20,903 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

23

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #23 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Wayne State University awarded about 36 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $24,569 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,847. More information about a degree in theater arts from Wayne State University

24

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University landed the #24 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Cleveland State University awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. Cleveland State University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Cleveland State University

25

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University placed #25 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Eastern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Eastern Michigan University