2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
Theater Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best theater arts schools.
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Best Schools for Theater Arts in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theater arts education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for theater arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 32 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full theater arts details for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 22 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $26,753. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $24,871 in their early career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 42 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Arizona State University earn around $25,301 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,606.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Arizona State University
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 184 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $26,045 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full theater arts program report for Texas State University San Marcos
Northern Arizona University came in at #6 for theater arts this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $23,043 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,966.
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University Of North Texas landed the #7 spot for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 64 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $28,236 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of North Texas
University Of Arizona landed the #8 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 10 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Arizona earn around $26,048 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $23,725 in student loans.
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University Of Houston earned the #9 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 39 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $61,314 in their early career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of Houston
Southern Methodist University earned the #10 position for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 25 theater arts degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $23,831 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Southern Methodist University
Sam Houston State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 32 theater arts degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $21,858 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
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Texas Womans University placed #12 among the best theater arts schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 18 theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Texas Womans University earn around $54,611 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at Texas Womans University
West Texas A And M University placed #13 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $25,036 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,328.
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Scottsdale Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $48,039 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Scottsdale Community College
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 35 theater arts degrees were awarded at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $29,945 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the theater arts program at Stephen F Austin State University
Abilene Christian University came in at #16 for theater arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. About 59% of students finish within six years. Abilene Christian University awarded about 16 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $56,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at Abilene Christian University
Texas Tech University placed #17 among the best theater arts schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Texas Tech University awarded about 33 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $28,933 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
See the full theater arts program report for Texas Tech University
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #18 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $26,474 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from The University Of Texas At Arlington
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #19 spot for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Corpus Christi. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 21 theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,050 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,658.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
Lone Star College System earned the #20 position for theater arts this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 14 theater arts degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Lone Star College System
Oral Roberts University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Oral Roberts University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $41,180 in their early career. Oral Roberts University graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Oral Roberts University
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #22 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Texas A And M University Commerce earn around $54,201 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Texas A And M University Commerce
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #23 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 25 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $16,001 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Texas Pan American
College Of The Mainland placed #24 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. About 19 theater arts degrees were awarded at College Of The Mainland in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $40,788 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete this degree.
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Tyler Junior College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Tyler Junior College awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $43,348 in their early career. Tyler Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Tyler Junior College
Rest of the Top 29 Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theater arts education:
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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 · 29 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.
