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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Theater Arts Schools in Ohio

10 Colleges in the United States
147 Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$28,243 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for theater arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theater Arts in Ohio

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.

Top Schools in Theater Arts

1
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theater arts. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 11 theater arts degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Xavier University

2

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. 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. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $23,920 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Read more about the theater arts program at Ohio State University Main Campus

3

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $25,070. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

4

Miami University Oxford came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $22,434. Typical student debt for the program is $24,177. Read more about the theater arts program at Miami University Oxford

5

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Kent State University At Kent, which ranked #5. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. About 26 theater arts degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,565. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Kent State University At Kent

6

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #6 for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 23 theater arts degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $21,900 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Read more about the theater arts program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus

7
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #7 position for theater arts this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 11 theater arts degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Oberlin College earn around $12,441 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,759. See the full theater arts program report for Oberlin College

8

Cleveland State University earned the #8 position for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Cleveland State University earn around $49,648 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Cleveland State University

9

Ohio Northern University placed #9 among the best theater arts schools. Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ada. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Ohio Northern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Ohio Northern University earn around $19,167 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio Northern University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Ohio Northern University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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