2026 Best Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools

1

New York University
New York, NY

Leading the list is New York University, our #1 school for theater arts. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from New York University earn around $44,742 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,762. See the full theater arts program report for New York University

2

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Villanova University awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Villanova University

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #3. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $37,985. Typical student debt for the program is $15,613. See the full theater arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Emerson College graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Emerson College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Emerson College earn around $39,309 in the first couple years of their career. Emerson College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Emerson College

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $19,673 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,970 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for University Of California Los Angeles

6

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #6 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 22 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $61,314. Typical student debt for the program is $21,255. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Houston

7

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #7 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 28 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,286. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Florida State University

8

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #8 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. See the full theater arts program report for Yale University

9

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #9 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 16 theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,430. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in theater arts from The University Of Texas At Austin

10

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #10 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 58 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $21,764 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Southern California

11

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #11 spot for theater arts this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $53,911 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,585 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Central Florida

12

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Georgia earn around $20,762 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Georgia

13

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #13 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,538 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in theater arts from San Diego State University

14

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #14 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 20 theater arts degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Boston University earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,958. More information about a degree in theater arts from Boston University

15

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,935 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Read more about the theater arts program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

16

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is 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. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $24,644. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Chapman University

17

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #17 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,815 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the theater arts program at Indiana University Bloomington

18

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

Catholic University Of America came in at #18 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Catholic University Of America awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $65,120 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Catholic University Of America

19

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $26,539. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

20

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 18 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $17,985 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,681. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Maryland College Park

21

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #21 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. There were roughly 26 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

22

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $38,598 early in their careers. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Cuny Brooklyn College

23

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University landed the #23 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Kansas State University awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Kansas State University earn around $51,543 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Kansas State University

24

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho came in at #24 for theater arts this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. University Of Idaho graduates 57% of students within six years. University Of Idaho awarded about 43 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $64,954 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,287 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for University Of Idaho

25

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #25 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 18 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $24,696 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,862 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for University Of California Irvine