2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in Virginia
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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best theater arts schools.
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Best Schools for Theater Arts in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theater arts education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
Our analysis ranked James Madison University the best school in the country for a degree in theater arts. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from James Madison University earn around $24,306 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
Get the full theater arts details for James Madison University
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 23 theater arts degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $36,557 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,637 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 64 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $22,447 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University
George Mason University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at George Mason University
A rank of #5 makes Old Dominion University one of the top schools for theater arts. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full theater arts details for Old Dominion University
Regent University earned the #6 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Regent University awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Regent University earn around $43,319 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,451.
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Mary Baldwin College landed the #7 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Mary Baldwin College awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at Mary Baldwin College
More Theater Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
