2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools

1

New York University
New York, NY

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 114 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from New York University earn around $44,742 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,762. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from New York University

2

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Villanova University awarded about 15 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $72,601 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Villanova University

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $37,985 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,613 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 141 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Emerson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Emerson College earn around $39,309 in the first couple years of their career. Emerson College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Emerson College

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 14 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $19,673 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,970 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of California Los Angeles

6

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 22 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $61,314. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Houston

7

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #7 position for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 35 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $32,286 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Florida State University

8

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #8 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $74,578 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Yale University

9

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 62 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,430. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

10

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 123 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $21,764 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Southern California

11

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #11 among the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Florida awarded about 12 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $53,911. Students borrow a median of $21,585 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Central Florida

12

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #12 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 16 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $25,804 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Northwestern University

13

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #13 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Georgia earn around $20,762 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,399. Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of Georgia

14

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 35 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $21,814 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Carnegie Mellon University

15

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #15 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $20,538 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from San Diego State University

16

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #16 position for drama & theater arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Boston University awarded about 53 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Boston University earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,958. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Boston University

17

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #17 position for drama & theater arts this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $20,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

18

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #18 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,644 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Chapman University

19

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Indiana University Bloomington

20

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

Catholic University Of America earned the #20 position for drama & theater arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $65,120 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,771. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Catholic University Of America

21

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #21 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 14 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,539 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

22

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #22 position for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 30 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $17,985. Typical student debt for the program is $20,681. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Maryland College Park

23

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #23 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 26 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

24

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College placed #24 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 27 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Cuny Brooklyn College earn around $38,598 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,303. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Cuny Brooklyn College

25

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $51,543 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Kansas State University