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Best Schools for Theater Arts in the United States
See the highest-ranked theater arts schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
Our analysis ranked American Musical And Dramatic Academy the best school in the country for a degree in theater arts. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 243 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $15,909 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from American Musical And Dramatic Academy
Utah Valley University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Utah Valley University awarded about 40 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $23,896 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Utah Valley University
Diablo Valley College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 20 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Diablo Valley College
Moorpark College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Moorpark College awarded about 25 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $105,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075.
Get the full theater arts details for Moorpark College
Mesa Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at Mesa Community College
Suffolk County Community College came in at #6 for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Suffolk County Community College
Orange Coast College placed #7 among the best theater arts schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $46,306 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Orange Coast College
Salt Lake Community College landed the #8 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Salt Lake Community College
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #9 for theater arts this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. There were roughly 14 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Cuny Laguardia Community College earn around $15,314 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Cuny Laguardia Community College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #10 position for theater arts this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. About 14 theater arts degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $44,391 in the first couple years of their career. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Mt San Antonio College
Santa Barbara City College earned the #11 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $68,184 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090.
Get the full theater arts details for Santa Barbara City College
Saddleback College landed the #12 spot for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 13 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Saddleback College earn around $15,890 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707.
Read more about the theater arts program at Saddleback College
Snow College placed #13 among the best theater arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Ephraim. Snow College awarded about 13 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Snow College
Santa Monica College landed the #14 spot for theater arts this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 18 theater arts degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Santa Monica College
College Of The Canyons earned the #15 position for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. About 16 theater arts degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $51,913 in their early career. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at College Of The Canyons
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #16 for theater arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Phoenix. Paradise Valley Community College awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Paradise Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Paradise Valley Community College
Montgomery County Community College earned the #17 position for theater arts this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Montgomery County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $39,025 in their early career. Montgomery County Community College graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Montgomery County Community College
Grossmont College came in at #18 for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. About 21 theater arts degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year.
See the full theater arts program report for Grossmont College
Pasadena City College earned the #19 position for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $38,841 in their early career. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Pasadena City College
El Camino Community College District came in at #20 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year.
Read more about the theater arts program at El Camino Community College District
Long Beach City College placed #21 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full theater arts details for Long Beach City College
Fullerton College earned the #22 position for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Fullerton College in the most recent data year.
See the full theater arts program report for Fullerton College
Citrus College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Citrus College awarded about 45 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the theater arts program at Citrus College
Tyler Junior College landed the #24 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at Tyler Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete this degree.
Get the full theater arts details for Tyler Junior College
Riverside City College came in at #25 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. There were roughly 12 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $37,102 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,767.
Get the full theater arts details for Riverside City College
Rest of the Top 39 Theater Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theater arts education:
Other Theater Arts Degree Levels
Explore the best theater arts schools at other degree levels:
