2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia tops our 2026 ranking of the best drama & theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 16 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at University Of Missouri Columbia

2

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 16 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $19,613 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Drake University

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #3. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% 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 Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $19,982 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full drama & theater arts details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in drama & theater arts, ranking #4. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 33 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Iowa earn around $22,225 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,622 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Iowa

5

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $21,627 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

6

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $51,543 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Kansas State University

7

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #7 for drama & theater arts this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 77 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $22,369 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Get the full drama & theater arts details for Missouri State University Springfield

8

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 14 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $22,289 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Northern Iowa

9

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $26,751. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

10

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #10 spot for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,273 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

11

Northwestern College Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #11 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $19,541 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete this degree. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Northwestern College Minnesota

12

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Kansas earn around $56,289 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for University Of Kansas

13

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University came in at #13 for drama & theater arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Charles. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Lindenwood University awarded about 19 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Lindenwood University earn around $25,083 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Lindenwood University

14

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $24,671 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $24,853 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Minnesota State University Mankato

15

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Webster University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 44 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Webster University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Webster University earn a median of $13,182 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Webster University

16

Maharishi University Of Management
Fairfield, IA

Maharishi University Of Management came in at #16 for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Maharishi University Of Management awarded about 18 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $32,294. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Maharishi University Of Management

17

Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University earned the #17 position for drama & theater arts this year. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 13 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Nebraska Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $23,649 early in their careers. Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University

18

Stephens College
Columbia, MO

Stephens College earned the #18 position for drama & theater arts this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. Stephens College awarded about 33 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from Stephens College earn around $16,476 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full drama & theater arts program report for Stephens College