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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

30 Colleges in the United States
1,164 Drama & Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$32,838 Avg Early-Career Salary

Drama & Theater Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 112 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 the Southwest 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.

Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best school in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 78 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 61 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $25,301 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,606. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Arizona State University

3

University Of Houston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Houston earn around $61,314 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Houston

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 35 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $26,753 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

5

Northern Arizona University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $23,043 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,966. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Northern Arizona University

6

Southern Methodist University placed #6 among the best drama & theater arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 31 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $23,831. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Southern Methodist University

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $24,871. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

8

Sam Houston State University placed #8 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 47 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $21,858 in their early career. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Sam Houston State University

9

University Of North Texas earned the #9 position for drama & theater arts this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 64 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $28,236. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of North Texas

10

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #10 for drama & theater arts this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 148 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $26,045 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Texas State University San Marcos

11

Abilene Christian University landed the #11 spot for drama & theater arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 10 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Abilene Christian University earn around $56,463 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Abilene Christian University

12

Texas Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 36 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Texas Tech University earn around $28,933 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Texas Tech University

13

Texas Christian University earned the #13 position for drama & theater arts this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $21,221 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Texas Christian University

14

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #14 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 27 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $29,945. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Stephen F Austin State University

15

University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for drama & theater arts this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $26,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of Arizona

16

West Texas A And M University landed the #16 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from West Texas A And M University earn around $25,036 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,328. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at West Texas A And M University

17

Baylor University earned the #17 position for drama & theater arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $20,267 early in their careers. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $24,130 in student loans. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Baylor University

18

Mesa Community College came in at #18 for drama & theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 32 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Mesa Community College

19

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 29 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $26,474 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 The University Of Texas At Arlington

20
Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University landed the #20 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Oklahoma City University graduates 65% of students within six years. Oklahoma City University awarded about 38 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Oklahoma City University generally make around $20,696. Oklahoma City University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Oklahoma City University

21

University Of The Incarnate Word placed #21 among the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Incarnate Word in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of The Incarnate Word earn around $27,295 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,028. Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of The Incarnate Word

22

Scottsdale Community College came in at #22 for drama & theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Scottsdale. There were roughly 15 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete this degree. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Scottsdale Community College

23

Saint Edwards University came in at #23 for drama & theater arts this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Edwards University awarded about 20 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Saint Edwards University earn around $15,925 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Saint Edwards University

24
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 10 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $50,532 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Tarleton State University

25

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi awarded about 17 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn around $25,050 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,658. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

Rest of the Top 39 Drama & Theater Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong drama & theater arts education:

26
27
28
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

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Notes and References

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 · 112 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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