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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Tennessee

7 Colleges in the United States
170 Drama & Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,160 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools to find the best for drama & theater arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in Tennessee

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.

Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts

1
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University tops our 2026 ranking of the best drama & theater arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 30 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Belmont University

2

Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 14 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $21,189 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from The University Of Tennessee

3

A rank of #3 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 26 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $17,860 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Middle Tennessee State University

4
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #4 makes Lipscomb University one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Lipscomb University

5

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chattanooga. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

6

East Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at East Tennessee State University

7

University Of Memphis earned the #7 position for drama & theater arts this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. University Of Memphis awarded about 31 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Memphis earn around $19,055 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Memphis

8

Austin Peay State University earned the #8 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Austin Peay State University awarded about 11 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $44,360 in their early career. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Austin Peay State University

9

Visible Music College landed the #9 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Visible Music College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 12%. Visible Music College awarded about 12 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Visible Music College generally make around $28,885. Visible Music College graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Visible Music College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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