2027 Best Theater Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best theater arts schools.
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Best Schools for Theater Arts in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theater arts education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for theater arts. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 19 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $53,134 in their early career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Missouri Columbia
Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 42 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $19,982 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $21,627 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for theater arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 16 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608.
Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Kansas
University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #5. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 18 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Iowa earn around $22,225 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,622 in student loans.
Get the full theater arts details for University Of Iowa
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #6 position for theater arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Duluth. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 27 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $26,751. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full theater arts details for University Of Minnesota Duluth
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #7 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $22,369. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Missouri State University Springfield
Kansas State University came in at #8 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Kansas State University earn around $51,543 in the first couple years of their career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Kansas State University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #9 for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Typical student debt for the program is $21,783.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #10 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 18 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $24,671 early in their careers. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $24,853 in student loans.
Get the full theater arts details for Minnesota State University Mankato
Emporia State University landed the #11 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Emporia State University awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $46,440 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,131.
Read more about the theater arts program at Emporia State University
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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 · 11 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.