2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in North Carolina
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 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theater arts students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Theater Arts in North Carolina
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
No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for theater arts. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,221. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,613 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts awarded about 36 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $24,420 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Appalachian State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 31 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Appalachian State University earn around $20,256 in the first couple years of their career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Appalachian State University
East Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 29 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $21,295 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full theater arts details for East Carolina University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish 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. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $18,052 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #6 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 26 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $20,450 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #7 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 57 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn around $18,154 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $25,914 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Western Carolina University earned the #8 position for theater arts this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $21,824 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full theater arts program report for Western Carolina University
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #9 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $20,996 early in their careers. North Carolina A And T State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at North Carolina A And T State University
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 · 9 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.
