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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Massachusetts

8 Colleges in the United States
396 Drama & Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,779 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 43 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for drama & theater arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in Massachusetts

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall drama & theater arts education in Massachusetts.

Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts

1
Emerson College crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Emerson College awarded about 141 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Emerson College earn around $29,435 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Emerson College

2
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Boston University earn around $21,508 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,958. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Boston University

3

University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 35 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

4

Salem State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Salem State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 30 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Salem State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Salem State University graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Salem State University

5

Suffolk University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Suffolk University awarded about 20 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Suffolk University earn around $23,189 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Suffolk University

6

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #6 among the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $52,885 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Massachusetts Boston

7

Berklee College Of Music placed #7 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Berklee College Of Music in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $26,374 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Berklee College Of Music

8
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA

Dean College earned the #8 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Dean College in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Dean College earn around $29,639 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Dean College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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