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2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

43 Colleges in the United States
1,720 Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$24,475 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theater Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools to find the best for theater arts students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Theater Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region

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.

Top Schools in Theater Arts

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus the best school in the country for a degree in theater arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 15 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

2
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

A rank of #2 makes American University one of the top schools for theater arts. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $23,979 in their early career. American University graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for American University

3
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #3. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 28 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $25,059 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Cuny Hunter College

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes New York University one of the top schools for theater arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 424 theater arts degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from New York University generally make around $32,829. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at New York University

5

Rutgers University New Brunswick 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 city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 49 theater arts degrees 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. More information about a degree in theater arts from Rutgers University New Brunswick

6

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #6 for theater arts this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 55 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,622. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Cuny Brooklyn College

7
Ithaca College crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College earned the #7 position for theater arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ithaca. Ithaca College graduates 76% of students within six years. About 28 theater arts degrees were awarded at Ithaca College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $18,243. Ithaca College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Ithaca College

8

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #8 for theater arts this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $17,985 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Maryland College Park

9

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #9 for theater arts this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 68 theater arts degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,935 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Columbia University In The City Of New York

10

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #10 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 50 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $27,391 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Carnegie Mellon University

11
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College placed #11 among the best theater arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 23 theater arts degrees were awarded at Vassar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $19,339 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Vassar College

12

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 theater arts degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in theater arts from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

13

Fordham University landed the #13 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 40 theater arts degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $14,133 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Fordham University

14

University At Buffalo earned the #14 position for theater arts this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for University At Buffalo

15
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 14 theater arts degrees were awarded at Niagara University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Niagara University earn around $51,918 in the first couple years of their career. Niagara University graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Niagara University

16
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #16 position for theater arts this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $19,871 in their early career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Towson University

17
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 theater arts degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $18,558 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Rowan University

18
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College came in at #18 for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Skidmore College graduates 83% of students within six years. About 16 theater arts degrees were awarded at Skidmore College in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $16,417 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,274. More information about a degree in theater arts from Skidmore College

19
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Muhlenberg College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 66 theater arts degrees were awarded at Muhlenberg College in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Muhlenberg College earn around $17,150 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 Muhlenberg College

20

Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. There were roughly 26 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $72,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

21

Montclair State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 60 theater arts degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Montclair State University earn around $18,474 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,022. Read more about the theater arts program at Montclair State University

22

American Musical And Dramatic Academy came in at #22 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates 52% of students within six years. American Musical And Dramatic Academy awarded about 221 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn a median of $16,900 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000. Read more about the theater arts program at American Musical And Dramatic Academy

23
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University landed the #23 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hofstra University awarded about 27 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $15,474. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Hofstra University

24
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #24 for theater arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $21,335 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from The New School

25

Suny At Purchase College came in at #25 for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny At Purchase College awarded about 29 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,090. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full theater arts program report for Suny At Purchase College

Rest of the Top 43 Theater Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts ranking:

26
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
27
28
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY
29
30
Point Park University crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA
31
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
32
33
34
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
35
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
36
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY
37
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA
38
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA
39
Drew University crest
Drew University
Madison, NJ
40
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
41
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA
42
Wagner College crest
Wagner College
Staten Island, NY
43

View All Theater Arts Rankings >

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 · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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