Best Colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings — real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Top 20 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN | $56,230 | $62,693 | 12% | 8,923 |
| 2 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NY | $45,005 | $15,488 | 69% | 13,060 |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA | $44,357 | $41,997 | 43% | 31,588 |
| 4 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY | $41,484 | $15,282 | 81% | 12,950 |
| 5 | Chapman University Orange, CA | $40,640 | $62,784 | 56% | 7,629 |
| 6 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR | $40,075 | $43,302 | 85% | 19,758 |
| 7 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA | $39,749 | $32,927 | 85% | 21,691 |
| 8 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC | $39,600 | $36,858 | 72% | 10,366 |
| 9 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | $39,572 | $24,451 | 71% | 32,446 |
| 10 | Drew University Madison, NJ | $38,978 | $45,360 | 69% | 1,510 |
| 11 | Saint Edward's University Austin, TX | $38,383 | $51,384 | 84% | 2,729 |
| 12 | Emerson College Boston, MA | $38,227 | $55,392 | 47% | 4,145 |
| 13 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CA | $38,1601yr | $56,134 | 89% | 2,024 |
| 14 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA | $38,092 | $58,974 | 40% | 7,171 |
| 15 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | $37,883 | $46,042 | 25% | 33,787 |
| 16 | Portland State University Portland, OR | $37,709 | $30,138 | 91% | 13,619 |
| 17 | University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA | $37,524 | $14,008 | 67% | 4,479 |
| 18 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA | $37,372 | $36,694 | 57% | 30,435 |
| 19 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI | $37,177 | $43,372 | 84% | 40,243 |
| 20 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | $37,108 | $45,742 | 28% | 23,205 |
Explore All Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Programs
See earnings data for all 270 schools offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degree?
A Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn?
Earnings for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.