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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Theater Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region

14 Colleges in the United States
251 Theater Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,128 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theater Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 118 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 the The Plains States Region

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

No school ranked higher than University Of Missouri Columbia this year for theater arts. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 16 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Missouri Columbia

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $19,982 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 20 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $22,225 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,622 in student loans. More information about a degree in theater arts from University Of Iowa

4

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater arts, ranking #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $21,627. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

5

Kansas State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Kansas State University earn around $51,543 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,546. Read more about the theater arts program at Kansas State University

6

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #6 spot for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 62 theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $22,369. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater arts program at Missouri State University Springfield

7

University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #7 for theater arts this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 18 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $26,751 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

8

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #8 among the best theater arts schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 13 theater arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Theater Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $24,273 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741. Read more about the theater arts program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

9

Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #9 position for theater arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater arts degree from Northwestern College Minnesota earn around $19,541 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern College Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. See the full theater arts program report for Northwestern College Minnesota

10
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #10 spot for theater arts this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 19 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Get the full theater arts details for University Of Kansas

11

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #11 spot for theater arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 20 theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $24,671. Students borrow a median of $24,853 to complete this degree. See the full theater arts program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

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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 · 118 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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