2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in Illinois
Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theater arts students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Theater Arts in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theater arts education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for theater arts. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 122 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Northwestern University earn around $22,525 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Northwestern University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 50 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,349. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 62 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $28,958 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,246.
Read more about the theater arts program at Illinois State University
Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 26 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their 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
A rank of #5 makes Depaul University one of the top schools for theater arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Depaul University awarded about 16 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Depaul University earn around $23,592 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,348.
Read more about the theater arts program at Depaul University
Northern Illinois University placed #6 among the best theater arts schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 theater arts degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $21,398 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Northern Illinois University
Columbia College Chicago placed #7 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 19 theater arts degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $17,929 in their early career. 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
More Theater Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 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.
