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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Theater Design & Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

20 Colleges in the United States
107 Theater Design & Technology Degrees Awarded
$22,088 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theater Design & Technology 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 41 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theater design & technology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theater Design & Technology in the Great Lakes 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 design & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Theater Design & Technology

1

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best theater design & technology schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 36 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $25,070 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete this degree. Get the full theater design & technology details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

2
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong theater design & technology program will find one at Depaul University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 29 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,592. Students borrow a median of $26,348 to complete this degree. See the full theater design & technology program report for Depaul University

3

Ohio University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater design & technology, ranking #3. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 10 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater design & technology degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $19,286 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,750. More information about a degree in theater design & technology from Ohio University Main Campus

4

Kent State University At Kent came in at #4 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. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 21 theater design & technology degrees in the most recent data year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $24,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the theater design & technology program at Kent State University At Kent

5

Columbia College Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best theater design & technology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $17,929. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Get the full theater design & technology details for Columbia College Chicago

Narrow Theater Design & Technology Schools by State

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View All Theater Design & Technology Rankings >

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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 · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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