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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Theater Arts Schools in Texas

18 Colleges in the United States
573 Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,960 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theater arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 72 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 Texas

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Theater Arts

1

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theater arts. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 32 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 $38,346. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full theater arts details for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

University Of Houston is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #2. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 50 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $61,314 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Houston

3

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #3. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $23,831 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from Southern Methodist University

4

Students looking for a strong theater arts program will find one at Sam Houston State University, which ranked #4. 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. Theater Arts graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $21,858 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. More information about a degree in theater arts from Sam Houston State University

5

University Of North Texas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 64 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $28,236 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of North Texas

6

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 133 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $26,045 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 Texas State University San Marcos

7

Abilene Christian University placed #7 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $56,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Abilene Christian University

8

Texas Tech University came in at #8 for theater arts this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 36 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $28,933. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for Texas Tech University

9

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #9 for theater arts this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $29,945 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full theater arts program report for Stephen F Austin State University

10

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #10 among the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $26,474. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

11

University Of The Incarnate Word placed #11 among the best theater arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 50% of students finish within six years. University Of The Incarnate Word awarded about 15 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $27,295 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,028. See the full theater arts program report for University Of The Incarnate Word

12
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University earned the #12 position for theater arts this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 10 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from Tarleton State University

13

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #13 for theater arts this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. There were roughly 17 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent data year. Theater Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $25,050 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,658. See the full theater arts program report for Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

14

Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #14 spot for theater arts this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 18 theater arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Texas A And M University Commerce

15

Tyler Junior College landed the #15 spot for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. There were roughly 17 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Tyler Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Tyler Junior College earn around $43,348 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,869. See the full theater arts program report for Tyler Junior College

16

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students 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. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $16,001 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Texas Pan American

17

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #17 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $48,335 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,819. Read more about the theater arts program at The University Of Texas At El Paso

18

Houston Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best theater arts schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Houston Community College awarded about 10 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater arts program make about $40,365 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Houston Community College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 72 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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