2024 Best Colleges for Theatre in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Theatre programs in California. We looked at 59 programs to put our Theatre rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Theatre in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Theatre is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Theatre: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Theatre in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Theatre undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Theatre degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Theatre Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Theatre in California?

UC Berkeley is the best university for majoring in Theatre based on earnings data. On average, graduates from UC Berkeley earned an average of $31,839 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Theatre in California?

California State University-Dominguez Hills is the cheapest university for majoring in Theatre based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,213 to attend California State University-Dominguez Hills.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Theatre in California?

University of Southern California (USC) is the most expensive university for majoring in Theatre based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $50,277 to attend University of Southern California (USC).

Show Less

Sort By:

#1 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $31,839
Average Debt $20,503
Program Size 71
University of California-Berkeley
4 Year
Berkeley, CA
Video Rating
University of California-Berkeley, located in Berkeley, CA has 71 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $31,839.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 11,486 students
Tuition N/A
0
Slide this button to indicate your GPA
4.0
My GPA
#2 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $31,839
Average Debt $20,503
Program Size 71
UC Berkeley
4 Year
Berkeley, CA
Video Rating
UC Berkeley , located in Berkeley, CA has 71 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $31,839.
Acceptance Rate 17%
Undergraduates 11,486 students
Tuition $13,431
0
4.0
My GPA
#3 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $31,839
Average Debt $23,165
Program Size 29
Sonoma State University
4 Year
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma State University, located in Rohnert Park, CA has 29 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $31,839.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 2,461 students
Tuition $7,330
0
4.0
My GPA
#4 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $30,409
Average Debt $24,800
Program Size 3
Saint Mary's College of California
4 Year
Moraga, CA
Saint Mary's College of California, located in Moraga, CA has 3 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $30,409.
Acceptance Rate 98%
Undergraduates 1,102 students
Tuition $42,930
0
4.0
My GPA
#5 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $29,685
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 24
University of California-Riverside (UCR)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
Video Rating
University of California-Riverside (UCR), located in Riverside, CA has 24 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $29,685.
Acceptance Rate 56%
Undergraduates 5,454 students
Tuition $13,527
0
4.0
My GPA
#6 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $28,598
Average Debt $23,250
Program Size 190
Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Video Rating
Loyola Marymount University (LMU), located in Los Angeles, CA has 190 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $28,598.
Acceptance Rate 51%
Undergraduates 2,530 students
Tuition $42,795
0
4.0
My GPA
#7 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $28,598
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 37
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
Video Rating
N/A
San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 37 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $28,598.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
0
4.0
My GPA
#8 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $28,055
Average Debt $15,831
Program Size 54
California State University-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Video Rating
California State University-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 54 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $28,055.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 6,512 students
Tuition $6,355
0
4.0
My GPA
#9 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $28,019
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 18
Vanguard University of Southern California
4 Year
Costa Mesa, CA
Vanguard University of Southern California, located in Costa Mesa, CA has 18 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $28,019.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 517 students
Tuition $30,050
0
4.0
My GPA
#10 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,642
Average Debt $16,905
Program Size 62
University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego)
4 Year
La Jolla, CA
Video Rating
University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego), located in La Jolla, CA has 62 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,642.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 9,523 students
Tuition $13,530
0
4.0
My GPA
#11 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,435
Average Debt $20,646
Program Size 126
University of California-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Video Rating
N/A
University of California-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 126 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,435.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition N/A
0
4.0
My GPA
#12 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,435
Average Debt $20,646
Program Size 126
UCLA
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Video Rating
UCLA, located in Los Angeles, CA has 126 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,435.
Acceptance Rate 17%
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition $12,763
0
4.0
My GPA
#13 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,933
Average Debt $17,801
Program Size 71
University of California-Santa Barbara
4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
Video Rating
N/A
University of California-Santa Barbara, located in Santa Barbara, CA has 71 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $26,933.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 6,169 students
Tuition N/A
0
4.0
My GPA
#14 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,933
Average Debt $17,801
Program Size 71
UC Santa Barbara
4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
Video Rating
UC Santa Barbara , located in Santa Barbara, CA has 71 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $26,933.
Acceptance Rate 33%
Undergraduates 6,169 students
Tuition $13,968
0
4.0
My GPA
#15 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,558
Average Debt $16,413
Program Size 303
University of Southern California (USC)
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Video Rating
University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, CA has 303 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $26,558.
Acceptance Rate 18%
Undergraduates 14,672 students
Tuition $50,277
0
4.0
My GPA
Other Major Rankings
Best Theatre Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings