by our College Data Analytics TeamTheater Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 132 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theater arts students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
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 theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theater arts. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 20 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in theater arts from San Jose State University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 32 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $20,503. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $16,852 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #3. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 17 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $24,644 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Chapman University
Sonoma State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Sonoma State University earn around $51,140 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,078 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Sonoma State University
University Of Southern California came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $21,619 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 79 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $19,673 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,970. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of California Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount University landed the #7 spot for theater arts this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 56 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $26,717 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Loyola Marymount University
University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $19,398. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for University Of California Davis
University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for theater arts this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 95 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $22,579 early in their careers. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $17,862 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for University Of California Irvine
University Of California Berkeley ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 31 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $22,610. Typical student debt for the program is $15,112. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of California Berkeley
California State University Fullerton came in at #11 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 75 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $21,580. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. See the full theater arts program report for California State University Fullerton
San Diego State University earned the #12 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 57 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,538. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for San Diego State University
Occidental College came in at #13 for theater arts this year. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Occidental College graduates 81% of students within six years. About 14 theater arts degrees were awarded at Occidental College in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Occidental College earn around $41,514 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,967. Get the full theater arts details for Occidental College
California State University Sacramento placed #14 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 26 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $23,000 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,221. Get the full theater arts details for California State University Sacramento
San Francisco State University earned the #15 position for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 38 theater arts degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from San Francisco State University earn around $23,004 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for San Francisco State University
University Of California San Diego ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $16,192 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of California San Diego
California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 76 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $19,231 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from California State University Long Beach
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #18 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $21,638 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
California State University Northridge earned the #19 position for theater arts this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from California State University Northridge earn around $17,524 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,863. Get the full theater arts details for California State University Northridge
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #20 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 22 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $49,427 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California State University East Bay placed #21 among the best theater arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. About 22 theater arts degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073. Get the full theater arts details for California State University East Bay
Diablo Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. There were roughly 27 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College 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
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #23 among the best theater arts schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $80,047 in their early career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Santa Rosa Junior College
California State University Los Angeles landed the #24 spot for theater arts this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 27 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from California State University Los Angeles earn around $16,645 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full theater arts details for California State University Los Angeles
Moorpark College came in at #25 for theater arts this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 47 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Moorpark College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 132 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
