DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in Virginia
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
James Madison University tops our 2026 ranking of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 52 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $24,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at James Madison University
A rank of #2 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 26 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $36,557 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,637 to complete this degree.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 64 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $22,447. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University
Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 33 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $22,984. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at George Mason University
Students looking for a strong drama & theater arts program will find one at Shenandoah University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 41 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Shenandoah University earn around $17,818 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for Shenandoah University
Liberty University landed the #6 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,414.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Liberty University
Regent University earned the #7 position for drama & theater arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 33 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Regent University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $43,319. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Regent University
Norfolk State University placed #8 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Norfolk State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 23 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Norfolk State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Norfolk State University earn around $54,971 in the first couple years of their career.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for Norfolk State University
Mary Baldwin College earned the #9 position for drama & theater arts this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. Mary Baldwin College graduates 39% of students within six years. About 48 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete this degree.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for Mary Baldwin College
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
ADBLOCK #116
