2024 Best Colleges for Theatre

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Theatre, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Theatre degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Theatre programs in America. The list includes 808 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

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. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Theatre program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Theatre we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Theatre.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Theatre in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Theatre Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Theatre?

Michigan Technological University is the best university for majoring in Theatre based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Michigan Technological University earned an average of $49,683 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Theatre?

Brigham Young University-Idaho is the cheapest university for majoring in Theatre based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $3,830 to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Theatre?

Columbia University in the City of New York is the most expensive university for majoring in Theatre based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $53,000 to attend Columbia University in the City of New York.

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#211 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,262
Average Debt $26,000
Program Size 51
Central Washington University
4 Year
Ellensburg, WA
Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, WA has 51 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,262.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 2,803 students
Tuition $8,688
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#212 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,207
Average Debt $18,917
Program Size 71
University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)
4 Year
College Park, MD
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University of Maryland-College Park (UMD), located in College Park, MD has 71 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,207.
Acceptance Rate 45%
Undergraduates 10,196 students
Tuition $9,996
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#213 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,182
Average Debt $21,067
Program Size 84
University of Utah
4 Year
Salt Lake City, UT
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University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City, UT has 84 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,182.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 7,811 students
Tuition $8,197
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#214 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,134
Average Debt $15,500
Program Size 184
Northwestern University
4 Year
Evanston, IL
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Northwestern University, located in Evanston, IL has 184 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,134.
Acceptance Rate 13%
Undergraduates 7,290 students
Tuition $49,047
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#215 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,113
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 48
Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU)
4 Year
Lincoln, NE
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Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU), located in Lincoln, NE has 48 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,113.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 498 students
Tuition $29,800
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#216 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,113
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 31
Plymouth State University
4 Year
Plymouth, NH
Plymouth State University, located in Plymouth, NH has 31 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,113.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 1,060 students
Tuition $13,128
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#217 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,113
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 17
Lawrence University
4 Year
Appleton, WI
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Lawrence University, located in Appleton, WI has 17 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,113.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 329 students
Tuition $43,740
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#218 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $23,108
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 98
Roosevelt University
4 Year
Chicago, IL
Roosevelt University, located in Chicago, IL has 98 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $23,108.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 1,494 students
Tuition $27,300
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#219 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,989
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 15
Emporia State University
4 Year
Emporia, KS
Emporia State University, located in Emporia, KS has 15 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,989.
Acceptance Rate 87%
Undergraduates 1,432 students
Tuition $5,936
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#220 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,920
Average Debt $15,943
Program Size 60
California State University-Sacramento
4 Year
Sacramento, CA
California State University-Sacramento, located in Sacramento, CA has 60 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,920.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 7,636 students
Tuition $6,872
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#221 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,892
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 54
Ohio University-Main Campus (OU)
4 Year
Athens, OH
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Ohio University-Main Campus (OU), located in Athens, OH has 54 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,892.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 8,654 students
Tuition $11,548
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#222 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,841
Average Debt $24,250
Program Size 39
Western Carolina University
4 Year
Cullowhee, NC
Western Carolina University, located in Cullowhee, NC has 39 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,841.
Acceptance Rate 40%
Undergraduates 2,557 students
Tuition $6,623
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#223 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,824
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 16
Denison University
4 Year
Granville, OH
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Denison University , located in Granville, OH has 16 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,824.
Acceptance Rate 29%
Undergraduates 492 students
Tuition N/A
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#224 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,806
Average Debt $25,600
Program Size 325
Columbia College Chicago
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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Columbia College Chicago, located in Chicago, IL has 325 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,806.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 1,998 students
Tuition $24,344
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#225 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $22,771
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 29
Oberlin College
4 Year
Oberlin, OH
Oberlin College, located in Oberlin, OH has 29 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $22,771.
Acceptance Rate 29%
Undergraduates 707 students
Tuition $50,582
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Other Major Rankings
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