by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Theatre Literature, History & Criticism covers Theatre Literature, History And Criticism. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of The History, Literature, Theory, And Analysis Of Written Plays, Theatrical Productions, And Theatre Methods And Organization. Includes Instruction In Historical Method; Critical Theory; Literary Analysis; The Study Of Themes And Archetypes In Dramatic Literature; The History Of Acting, Directing, And Technical Theatre; And The Study Of Specific Historical And Cultural Styles And Traditions. Continue reading for the essential details every theatre literature, history & criticism student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering theatre literature, history & criticism programs.
In the U.S., theatre literature, history & criticism is a popular field of study, with 25 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Theatre Literature, History & Criticism Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for theatre literature, history & criticism students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theatre literature, history & criticism programs later in this article.
Programs in Theatre Literature, History & Criticism build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations theatre literature, history & criticism graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a theatre literature, history & criticism program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a theatre literature, history & criticism major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several theatre literature, history & criticism 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 16 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to theatre literature, history & criticism tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 50.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in theatre literature, history & criticism careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying theatre literature, history & criticism can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to theatre literature, history & criticism.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theatre literature, history & criticism.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of theatre literature, history & criticism graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 literature, history & criticism graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers theatre literature, history & criticism grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 7 different theatre literature, history & criticism programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased theatre literature, history & criticism school rankings to help you.
Students interested in theatre literature, history & criticism, 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 |
| Theatre and Dance | 122 |
| Costume Design | 64 |
| Comedy Writing and Performance | 35 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
