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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
1,445 Drama & Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$39,321 Avg Early-Career Salary

Drama & Theater Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 1121 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best drama & theater arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in the United States

Below are the best drama & theater arts schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts

1

American Musical And Dramatic Academy is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 52% of students finish within six years. American Musical And Dramatic Academy awarded about 279 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn a median of $15,909 early in their careers. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for American Musical And Dramatic Academy

2

A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Utah Valley University earn around $23,896 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Utah Valley University

3
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

A rank of #3 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 22 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Diablo Valley College

4
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 28 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $105,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Moorpark College

5
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #5. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Nassau Community College awarded about 10 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $38,734 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,850. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Nassau Community College

6

Mesa Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 32 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $54,730 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Mesa Community College

7
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. About 16 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Valencia College in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $42,786 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Valencia College

8

Suffolk County Community College came in at #8 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 10 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Suffolk County Community College

9
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College placed #9 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 14 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Orange Coast College

10
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College placed #10 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 14 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $42,031 in their early career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Salt Lake Community College

11
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #11 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 14 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $15,314 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College

12

Mt San Antonio College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. About 15 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $44,391 in their early career. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Mt San Antonio College

13
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College came in at #13 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. There were roughly 11 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Santa Barbara City College

14
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. About 14 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Saddleback College in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Saddleback College

15

American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York earned the #15 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of New York, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit institution. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York awarded about 126 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York earn around $12,445 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York

16
Snow College crest
Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College placed #16 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 13 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Snow College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $42,776 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Snow College

17
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #17 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 24 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Santa Monica College

18
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College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #18 among the best drama & theater arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 17 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $51,913 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from College Of The Canyons

19

Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #19 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queensborough Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Cuny Queensborough Community College earn around $23,674 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Queensborough Community College graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Cuny Queensborough Community College

20
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Cypress College awarded about 11 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Cypress College

21

Paradise Valley Community College came in at #21 for drama & theater arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Phoenix. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Paradise Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $71,136 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,204. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Paradise Valley Community College

22

Montgomery County Community College earned the #22 position for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blue Bell. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Montgomery County Community College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,219. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Montgomery County Community College

23
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College placed #23 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of El Cajon. There were roughly 21 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Grossmont College

24

American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles earned the #24 position for drama & theater arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 85 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles earn around $12,445 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles

25

Pasadena City College landed the #25 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 15 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Pasadena City College

Rest of the Top 50 Drama & Theater Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for drama & theater arts this year:

26
27
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Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
28
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Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
29
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Citrus College
Glendora, CA
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32
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35
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37
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Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
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42
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Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA
43
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
44
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American River College
Sacramento, CA
45
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East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
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Merced College
Merced, CA
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50

Other Drama & Theater Arts Degree Levels

Explore the best drama & theater arts schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Drama & Theater Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Drama & Theater Arts
Master's Degrees in Drama & Theater Arts
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View All Drama & Theater Arts Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1121 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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