2026 Best Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Leading the list is Villanova University, our #1 school for theater arts. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Villanova University earn around $72,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184. More information about a degree in theater arts from Villanova University

2

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 448 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from New York University generally make around $32,829. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at New York University

3

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $24,770 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the theater arts program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

4

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 17 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $20,988 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Syracuse University

5

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 78 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $20,935 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Columbia University In The City Of New York

6

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #6 spot for theater arts this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 18 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $17,985 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,681. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Maryland College Park

7

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College landed the #7 spot for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,059 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Cuny Hunter College

8

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University placed #8 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 44 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $27,391. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Carnegie Mellon University

9

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #9 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 61 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Cuny Brooklyn College earn around $29,622 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Cuny Brooklyn College

10

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

Catholic University Of America landed the #10 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Catholic University Of America awarded about 17 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Catholic University Of America

11

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College came in at #11 for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $19,339. Vassar College graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Vassar College

12

Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College landed the #12 spot for theater arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Ithaca College awarded about 21 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $18,243 early in their careers. Ithaca College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Ithaca College

13

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #13 among the best theater arts schools. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. About 37 theater arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

14

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

Fordham University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 41 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Fordham University earn around $14,133 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Fordham University

15

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 16 theater arts degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $19,871 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the theater arts program at Towson University

16

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #16 for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the town of California. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 11 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the theater arts program at Pennsylvania Western University

17

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #17 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 27 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $18,558 early in their careers. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Rowan University

18

Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #18 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $15,372 early in their careers. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $20,620 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Ramapo College Of New Jersey

19

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #19 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University At Buffalo awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University At Buffalo earn around $25,810 in the first couple years of their career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at University At Buffalo

20

Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College came in at #20 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Muhlenberg College awarded about 69 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $17,150. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the theater arts program at Muhlenberg College

21

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College placed #21 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Typical student debt for the program is $13,213. Get the full theater arts details for Cuny Lehman College

22

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College came in at #22 for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Suny At Purchase College graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $18,090 in their early career. Suny At Purchase College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Suny At Purchase College

23

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #23 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 35 theater arts degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from State University Of New York At New Paltz earn around $21,800 in the first couple years of their career. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for State University Of New York At New Paltz

24

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College earned the #24 position 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. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $35,667 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Suffolk County Community College

25

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 13 theater arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $11,604 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Cuny Queens College