2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Illinois

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 112 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $22,525 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Northwestern University

2

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #2. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 18 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $58,568 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Loyola University Chicago

3

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $28,958 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $24,246 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Illinois State University

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 60 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $24,349 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 109 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $23,592 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,348. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Depaul University

6

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #6 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Central College awarded about 17 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of North Central College earn a median of $20,416 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for North Central College

7

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #7 for drama & theater arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Western Illinois University earn around $47,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,639. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Western Illinois University

8

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #8 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 30 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $14,938. Typical student debt for the program is $21,238. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Illinois At Chicago

9

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #9 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 10 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Aurora University

10

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #10 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 24 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $21,398 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Northern Illinois University

11

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago placed #11 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 159 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $17,929 in their early career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Columbia College Chicago

12

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University came in at #12 for drama & theater arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Decatur. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 44 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Millikin University in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,013 in their early career. Millikin University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Millikin University

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 for drama & theater arts this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 17 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $16,892 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,010 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

14

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $19,490. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Illinois Wesleyan University

15

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University placed #15 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roosevelt University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Roosevelt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $21,001. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Roosevelt University