by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Theatre and Dance involves the study of A Program Of Study That Focuses On Integrating The Studies Of Dance And Theatre Arts To Provide Perspectives In All Facets Of Production, Performance, And Critical Engagement. Includes Instruction In Acting, Aesthetics, Choreography, Costume Design, Criticism, Dance, Improvisation, Music Analysis, Playwriting, Theatre Performance History, Scene Design, Stage Lighting, And Technical Theatre. Continue reading for the essential details every theatre and dance major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering theatre and dance programs.
Across the country, theatre and dance is a widely-pursued major, with 122 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Theatre and Dance Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for theatre and dance students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theatre and dance programs later in this article.
Coursework for Theatre and Dance build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations theatre and dance graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a theatre and dance program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a theatre and dance major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several theatre and dance degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 15 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 104 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to theatre and dance tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.1% |
| Master’s degree | 22.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.4% |
| Some college courses | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in theatre and dance careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in theatre and dance can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to theatre and dance.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theatre and dance.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Choreographers | 365,704 | 14.8% |
| Producers and Directors | 355,369 | -3.9% |
| Dancers | 244,405 | 0.9% |
| Talent Directors | 163,716 | -3.3% |
| Media Technical Directors/Managers | 136,436 | -2.6% |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | 127,872 | 7.5% |
| Media Programming Directors | 98,123 | 11.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of theatre and dance graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $21,253 |
| 4 years | $29,200 |
| 5 years | $33,047 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for theatre and dance graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers theatre and dance grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Choreographers | $109,380 |
| Media Programming Directors | $90,799 |
| Producers and Directors | $90,515 |
| Dancers | $74,180 |
| Talent Directors | $73,937 |
| Media Technical Directors/Managers | $65,049 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | $51,873 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 11 different theatre and dance programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased theatre and dance school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in theatre and dance, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General | 10,778 |
| Acting | 1,859 |
| Musical Theatre | 1,157 |
| Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology | 1,087 |
| Playwriting and Screenwriting | 863 |
| Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other | 437 |
| Directing and Theatrical Production | 213 |
| Costume Design | 64 |
| Comedy Writing and Performance | 35 |
| Theatre Literature, History and Criticism | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
