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).

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#31 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,420
Average Debt $26,780
Program Size 83
California Institute of the Arts
4 Year
Valencia, CA
California Institute of the Arts, located in Valencia, CA has 83 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,420.
Acceptance Rate 25%
Undergraduates 386 students
Tuition $43,986
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4.0
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#32 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $21,781
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 48
Academy of Art University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
Video Rating
Academy of Art University, located in San Francisco, CA has 48 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $21,781.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 2,335 students
Tuition $20,340
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4.0
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#33 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $21,703
Average Debt $18,928
Program Size 103
San Diego State University (SDSU)
4 Year
San Diego, CA
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San Diego State University (SDSU), located in San Diego, CA has 103 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $21,703.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 8,923 students
Tuition $6,976
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4.0
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#34 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $20,530
Average Debt $30,147
Program Size 256
New York Film Academy
4 Year
Burbank, CA
New York Film Academy, located in Burbank, CA has 256 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $20,530.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 699 students
Tuition N/A
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4.0
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#35 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $20,322
Average Debt $18,984
Program Size 154
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)
4 Year
Long Beach, CA
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California State University-Long Beach (CSULB), located in Long Beach, CA has 154 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $20,322.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 10,260 students
Tuition $6,452
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4.0
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#36 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $19,455
Average Debt $24,219
Program Size 45
California State University-San Bernardino
4 Year
San Bernardino, CA
California State University-San Bernardino, located in San Bernardino, CA has 45 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $19,455.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 4,571 students
Tuition $6,577
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4.0
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#37 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $19,455
Average Debt $20,386
Program Size 36
California State University-Dominguez Hills
4 Year
Carson, CA
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California State University-Dominguez Hills, located in Carson, CA has 36 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $19,455.
Acceptance Rate 53%
Undergraduates 3,807 students
Tuition $6,213
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4.0
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#38 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $18,498
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 30
California State University-Fresno
4 Year
Fresno, CA
California State University-Fresno, located in Fresno, CA has 30 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $18,498.
Acceptance Rate 52%
Undergraduates 5,276 students
Tuition $6,311
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4.0
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#39 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $17,470
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 21
Humboldt State University
4 Year
Arcata, CA
Humboldt State University, located in Arcata, CA has 21 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $17,470.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 2,017 students
Tuition $7,195
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4.0
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#40 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $14,935
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 19
Whittier College
4 Year
Whittier, CA
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N/A
Whittier College, located in Whittier, CA has 19 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $14,935.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 583 students
Tuition $43,280
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4.0
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#41 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 37
California State University-Chico
4 Year
Chico, CA
California State University-Chico, located in Chico, CA has 37 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 4,093 students
Tuition $7,022
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4.0
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#42 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 27
California State University-East Bay
4 Year
Hayward, CA
California State University-East Bay, located in Hayward, CA has 27 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 4,631 students
Tuition $6,564
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4.0
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#43 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 21
University of Redlands
4 Year
Redlands, CA
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N/A
University of Redlands, located in Redlands, CA has 21 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 1,633 students
Tuition $44,900
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4.0
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#44 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 19
Stanford University
4 Year
Stanford, CA
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N/A
Stanford University, located in Stanford, CA has 19 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 5%
Undergraduates 4,779 students
Tuition $46,320
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4.0
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#45 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 19
California Lutheran University (CLU)
4 Year
Thousand Oaks, CA
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California Lutheran University (CLU), located in Thousand Oaks, CA has 19 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,282 students
Tuition $38,430
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4.0
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Other Major Rankings
Best Theatre Programs by State
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