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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Theater Design & Technology Master’s Degree Schools

8 Colleges in the United States
172 Theater Design & Technology Degrees Awarded
$32,575 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theater Design & Technology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 219 schools to find the best for theater design & technology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theater Design & Technology in the United States

Below are the best theater design & technology schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Theater Design & Technology

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

Leading the list is New York University, our #1 school for theater design & technology. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $44,742. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater design & technology from New York University

2
Emerson College crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

A rank of #2 makes Emerson College one of the top schools for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. 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 $39,309 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full theater design & technology details for Emerson College

3
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

A rank of #3 makes Yale University one of the top schools for theater design & technology. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 24 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $74,578 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. Get the full theater design & technology details for Yale University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for theater design & technology. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 14 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theater design & technology program make about $21,764 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Get the full theater design & technology details for University Of Southern California

5
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theater design & technology, ranking #5. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 theater design & technology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,958 to complete this degree. Read more about the theater design & technology program at Boston University

6

University Of Maryland College Park placed #6 among the best theater design & technology schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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

7

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts placed #7 among the best theater design & technology schools. This small public university is located in the city of Winston Salem. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theater design & technology degree from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn around $27,611 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,592. More information about a degree in theater design & technology from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts

8
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #8 among the best theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 29 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $25,163. Typical student debt for the program is $26,348. Read more about the theater design & technology program at Depaul University

9

Columbia College Chicago came in at #9 for theater design & technology this year. 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. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $17,929 early in their careers. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Get the full theater design & technology details for Columbia College Chicago

10

California Institute Of The Arts came in at #10 for theater design & technology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Valencia. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 theater design & technology students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Theater Design & Technology graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $35,156 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theater design & technology from California Institute Of The Arts

Other Theater Design & Technology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Theater Design & Technology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Theater Design & Technology
Associate's Degrees in Theater Design & Technology
Bachelor's Degrees in Theater Design & Technology
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View All Theater Design & Technology Rankings >

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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 · 219 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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