Theater Design & Technology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theater design & technology programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 219 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theater design & technology students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great Theater Design & Technology School
The theater design & technology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Theater Design & Technology rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Theater Design & Technology Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theater Design & Technology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
No school ranked higher than Pennsylvania State University Main Campus this year for theater design & technology. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 22 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full theater design & technology details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes Yale University one of the top schools for theater design & technology. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 32 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
See the full theater design & technology program report for Yale University
A rank of #3 makes New York University one of the top schools for theater design & technology. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 17 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $32,829. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,762 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from New York University
Students looking for a strong theater design & technology program will find one at Emerson College, which ranked #4. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Emerson College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater design & technology degree from Emerson College earn around $29,435 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from Emerson College
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theater design & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 14 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $21,619 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from University Of Southern California
University Of Maryland College Park placed #6 among the best theater design & technology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 11 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $17,985. Typical student debt for the program is $20,681.
Read more about the theater design & technology program at University Of Maryland College Park
Boston University landed the #7 spot for theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $21,508 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from Boston University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $25,070 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete this degree.
See the full theater design & technology program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Ithaca College earned the #9 position for theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Ithaca College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater design & technology degree from Ithaca College earn around $18,243 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full theater design & technology program report for Ithaca College
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earned the #10 position for theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $24,420. Typical student debt for the program is $24,592.
Read more about the theater design & technology program at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Depaul University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 29 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $23,592 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans.
See the full theater design & technology program report for Depaul University
University Of Arizona came in at #12 for theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $26,048 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $23,725 in student loans.
Read more about the theater design & technology program at University Of Arizona
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #13 spot for theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $23,926 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete this degree.
See the full theater design & technology program report for University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Ohio University Main Campus placed #14 among the best theater design & technology schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 10 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $19,286 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full theater design & technology details for Ohio University Main Campus
Kent State University At Kent ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best theater design & technology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 21 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $24,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from Kent State University At Kent
Suny At Purchase College landed the #16 spot for theater design & technology this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Suny At Purchase College graduates 63% of students within six years. Suny At Purchase College awarded about 22 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full theater design & technology details for Suny At Purchase College
Oklahoma City University landed the #17 spot for theater design & technology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma City University in the most recent data year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $20,696 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full theater design & technology program report for Oklahoma City University
Santa Monica College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best theater design & technology schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. Santa Monica College awarded about 11 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full theater design & technology details for Santa Monica College
California Institute Of The Arts earned the #19 position for theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from California Institute Of The Arts generally make around $28,915. California Institute Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full theater design & technology details for California Institute Of The Arts
Shenandoah University landed the #20 spot for theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $17,818 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full theater design & technology program report for Shenandoah University
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #21 among the best theater design & technology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Savannah. About 69% of students finish within six years. Savannah College Of Art And Design awarded about 16 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater design & technology degree from Savannah College Of Art And Design earn around $23,319 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from Savannah College Of Art And Design
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #22 position for theater design & technology this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. Cuny New York City College Of Technology awarded about 25 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $14,799 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Columbia College Chicago placed #23 among the best theater design & technology schools. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 11 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $17,929 in their early career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans.
Read more about the theater design & technology program at Columbia College Chicago
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #24 among the best theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Cuny Queensborough Community College awarded about 10 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater design & technology degree from Cuny Queensborough Community College earn around $23,674 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,052.
Get the full theater design & technology details for Cuny Queensborough Community College
Valencia College placed #25 among the best theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. About 76 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at Valencia College in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $42,786 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theater design & technology from Valencia College
Rest of the Top 28 Theater Design & Technology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theater design & technology education:
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/offers.json"
Theater Design & Technology Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Theater Design & Technology. See all related rankings.
ADBLOCK #115
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 219 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).