Drama & Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their drama & theater arts programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 169 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for drama & theater arts students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region
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 drama & theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for drama & theater arts. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
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. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Villanova University
New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 574 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of New York University earn a median of $32,829 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete this degree.
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American University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 16 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from American University earn around $23,979 in the first couple years of their career. American University graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 37 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $24,770 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
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Syracuse University placed #6 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $20,988. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Syracuse University
Drexel University landed the #7 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Drexel University awarded about 12 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Drexel University earn around $67,556 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,838.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #8 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 78 drama & theater arts degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
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University Of Maryland College Park landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 33 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $17,985 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,681 in student loans.
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Cuny Hunter College came in at #10 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $25,059 early in their careers. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans.
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Carnegie Mellon University came in at #11 for drama & theater arts this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $27,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Carnegie Mellon University
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #12 for drama & theater arts this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 61 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $29,622 in their early career. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans.
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Catholic University Of America landed the #13 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Catholic University Of America awarded about 17 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete this degree.
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Vassar College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 16 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $19,339. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Vassar College
Ithaca College earned the #15 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ithaca College awarded about 61 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $18,243 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 37 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree.
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Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates 66% of students within six years. About 13 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,169. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete this degree.
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Fordham University earned the #18 position for drama & theater arts this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Fordham University earn around $14,133 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Towson University landed the #19 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Towson University earn a median of $19,871 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
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Manhattan School Of Music ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 23 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $29,400 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Pennsylvania Western University came in at #21 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 11 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year.
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Suny At Binghamton came in at #22 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Vestal. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 14 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $18,920 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Rowan University placed #23 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. About 67% of students finish within six years. Rowan University awarded about 27 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $18,558. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $17,381 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,812 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #25 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates 70% of students within six years. Ramapo College Of New Jersey awarded about 12 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn around $15,372 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,620 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Drama & Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drama & theater arts ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 169 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).
