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Best Schools for Theater Arts in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theater arts education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Theater Arts
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in theater arts. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 28 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
Get the full theater arts details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for theater arts. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 102 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Northwestern University earn around $22,525 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree.
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Loyola University Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625.
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Xavier University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 11 theater arts degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Xavier University
University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 21 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $37,531. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
See the full theater arts program report for University Of Notre Dame
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 13 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at Purdue University Main Campus
Illinois State University landed the #7 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $28,958 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $24,246 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Illinois State University
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 26 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,920 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 34 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $17,577 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 60 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,349. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Indiana University Bloomington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 17 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #12 position for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $49,911 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,574.
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Michigan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 34 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $17,328. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
Read more about the theater arts program at Michigan State University
Butler University landed the #14 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans.
See the full theater arts program report for Butler University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #15 position for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,070 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Depaul University placed #16 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $23,592 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,348.
Read more about the theater arts program at Depaul University
Western Illinois University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Illinois University awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,639.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #18 position for theater arts this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $14,938 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $21,238 in student loans.
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Miami University Oxford ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $22,434 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Miami University Oxford
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #20 spot for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 13 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $49,223 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Ball State University placed #21 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $23,748 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,984 to complete this degree.
See the full theater arts program report for Ball State University
Siena Heights University landed the #22 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Siena Heights University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,790.
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Kent State University At Kent came in at #23 for theater arts this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 26 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $24,565 early in their careers. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Northern Illinois University placed #24 among the best theater arts schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 24 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $21,398 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater arts from Northern Illinois University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,455 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Rest of the Top 36 Theater Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theater arts ranking:
Narrow Theater Arts Schools by State
