Theatre And Dance 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 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theatre and dance students pursuing a degree.
The theatre and dance program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Theatre And Dance rankings. For our Best Overall Theatre And Dance School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Theatre And Dance Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Theatre And Dance in the United States
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 theatre and dance degrees they offer, see the list below.
The University Of Texas At Austin tops our 2027 ranking of the best theatre and dance schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 39 theatre and dance degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Theatre And Dance graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,346 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theatre and dance from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Hawaii At Manoa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theatre and dance, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 10 theatre and dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theatre and dance degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theatre and dance from University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Students looking for a strong theatre and dance program will find one at Rowan University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 theatre and dance students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theatre and dance degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $18,558. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the theatre and dance program at Rowan University
University Of Wyoming came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best theatre and dance schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. University Of Wyoming awarded about 10 theatre and dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theatre and dance program make about $26,053 in their early career. University Of Wyoming graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Get the full theatre and dance details for University Of Wyoming
A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the top schools for theatre and dance. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 12 theatre and dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theatre and dance degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $16,892. Students borrow a median of $26,010 to complete this degree.
See the full theatre and dance program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 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).
