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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Theater Arts Schools in New Jersey

6 Colleges in the United States
177 Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$17,925 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theater Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theater arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theater arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theater Arts in New Jersey

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theater arts education in New Jersey.

Top Schools in Theater Arts

1

No school ranked higher than Rutgers University New Brunswick this year for theater arts. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 37 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $24,770 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in theater arts from Rutgers University New Brunswick

2
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Rowan University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 27 theater arts degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $18,558. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the theater arts program at Rowan University

3

Ramapo College Of New Jersey is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #3. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn around $15,372 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,620 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Ramapo College Of New Jersey

4

A rank of #4 makes Montclair State University one of the top schools for theater arts. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Montclair State University awarded about 71 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $18,474. Montclair State University graduates carry a median of $25,022 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Montclair State University

5

Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn around $16,666 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,139 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham

6
Drew University crest
Drew University
Madison, NJ

Drew University came in at #6 for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Drew University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Drew University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $13,710 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full theater arts program report for Drew University

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Notes and References

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 · 10 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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