2026 Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 ranking of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 26 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $32,221 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,613 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #2. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $24,306. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for James Madison University

3

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 69 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $25,453. Students borrow a median of $15,142 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Florida

4

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at University Of Georgia, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 30 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $20,762 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Georgia

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $36,557 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,637. See the full theater arts program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for theater arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Florida awarded about 81 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $38,810 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,585 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Central Florida

7

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 92 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Florida State University earn around $25,359 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Florida State University

8

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #8 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 64 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $22,447. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. Get the full theater arts details for Virginia Commonwealth University

9

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $20,899 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $23,141 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Auburn University

10

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #10 for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 33 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $22,984. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at George Mason University

11

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #11 among the best theater arts schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Miami earn around $16,561 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Miami

12

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #12 position for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $26,670 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Get the full theater arts details for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

13

Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Berea. Berea College graduates 58% of students within six years. Berea College awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Berea College

14

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Winston Salem, NC

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates 78% of students within six years. About 27 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $24,420 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,592 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts

15

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #15 among the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $20,290 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

16

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee landed the #16 spot for theater arts this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 14 theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $21,189 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Tennessee

17

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 26 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $17,860. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Middle Tennessee State University

18

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 16 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $54,087 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #19 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. About 25 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $24,732 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,849. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

20

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 23 theater arts degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Florida International University earn around $20,113 in the first couple years of their career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Florida International University

21

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 13 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,324. Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

22

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $19,543 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Alabama

23

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University landed the #23 spot for theater arts this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 27 theater arts degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $20,256. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Appalachian State University

24

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #24 among the best theater arts schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of Arkansas awarded about 24 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $25,499 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Arkansas

25

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston placed #25 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. College Of Charleston awarded about 26 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from College Of Charleston earn around $21,645 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,943 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for College Of Charleston