2026 Best Theater Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

1

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for theater arts. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 32 theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,346 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 61 theater arts degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,301 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,606. Read more about the theater arts program at Arizona State University

3

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at University Of Houston, which ranked #3. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 50 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $61,314 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Houston

4

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 24 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $26,753 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

5

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 19 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $23,043 in their early career. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,966 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Northern Arizona University

6

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University landed the #6 spot for theater arts this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 31 theater arts degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $23,831 in their early career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Southern Methodist University

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Stillwater. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $24,871 in their early career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

8

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University came in at #8 for theater arts this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 31 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $21,858 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Sam Houston State University

9

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #9 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. About 64 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $28,236 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of North Texas

10

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 133 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $26,045. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Texas State University San Marcos

11

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University landed the #11 spot for theater arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 10 theater arts degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $56,463 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. Read more about the theater arts program at Abilene Christian University

12

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #12 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 36 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Texas Tech University earn around $28,933 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. More information about a degree in theater arts from Texas Tech University

13

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University placed #13 among the best theater arts schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Stephen F Austin State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 27 theater arts degrees were awarded at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $29,945 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Stephen F Austin State University

14

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona earned the #14 position for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Arizona earn around $26,048 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $23,725 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Arizona

15

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College earned the #15 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. About 12 theater arts degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Mesa Community College earn around $54,730 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. More information about a degree in theater arts from Mesa Community College

16

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #16 among the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 29 theater arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $26,474 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

17

University Of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX

University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #17 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 15 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Incarnate Word in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of The Incarnate Word earn around $27,295 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,028 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of The Incarnate Word

18

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #18 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 10 theater arts degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $50,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,222. Read more about the theater arts program at Tarleton State University

19

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 17 theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $25,050 in their early career. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi graduates carry a median of $22,658 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

20

Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ

Paradise Valley Community College earned the #20 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Paradise Valley Community College awarded about 14 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Paradise Valley Community College earn around $71,136 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,204. See the full theater arts program report for Paradise Valley Community College

21

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #21 spot for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the town of Commerce. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree. Get the full theater arts details for Texas A And M University Commerce

22

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College landed the #22 spot for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. Tyler Junior College awarded about 17 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Typical student debt for the program is $14,869. Read more about the theater arts program at Tyler Junior College

23

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best theater arts schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $17,980. Typical student debt for the program is $17,009. Read more about the theater arts program at New Mexico State University Main Campus

24

Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University earned the #24 position for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Oral Roberts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $41,180. Oral Roberts University graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans. Read more about the theater arts program at Oral Roberts University

25

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $16,706 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $16,001 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from The University Of Texas Pan American