2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
Theater Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 55 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 the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theater arts education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for theater arts. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,221 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,613 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #2. 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. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $24,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Georgia one of the top schools for theater arts. 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. University Of Georgia awarded about 33 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,762. Typical student debt for the program is $19,399.
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Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $25,453. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $15,142 in student loans.
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University Of Central Florida came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 104 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $38,810 early in their careers. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,585 in student loans.
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Florida State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 80 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,359 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Florida State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #7 among the best theater arts schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $36,557. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $24,637 in student loans.
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Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #8 spot for theater arts this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $22,447. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts placed #9 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn around $24,420 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans.
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George Mason University landed the #10 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from George Mason University earn around $22,984 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for George Mason University
Auburn University landed the #11 spot for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Auburn University earn around $20,899 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $23,141 in student loans.
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University Of Arkansas earned the #12 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $25,499 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,019.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 20 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,537.
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The University Of Tennessee placed #14 among the best theater arts schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 26 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $21,189 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859.
More information about a degree in theater arts from The University Of Tennessee
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #15 for theater arts this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete this degree.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #16 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $24,732 in their early career. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 37 theater arts degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $20,290. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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Appalachian State University came in at #18 for theater arts this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Appalachian State University awarded about 31 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $20,256. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Appalachian State University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #19 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $26,670 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250.
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East Carolina University landed the #20 spot for theater arts this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 29 theater arts degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from East Carolina University earn around $21,295 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for East Carolina University
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #21 spot for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $17,860 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Middle Tennessee State University
West Virginia University landed the #22 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 32 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $19,687 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at West Virginia University
The University Of Alabama landed the #23 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $19,543 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
More information about a degree in theater arts from The University Of Alabama
The University Of West Florida earned the #24 position for theater arts this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of West Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from The University Of West Florida earn around $23,852 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #25 position for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $18,052 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Rest of the Top 50 Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 55 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.