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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#76 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
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#77 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
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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
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#78 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,416
Average Debt $25,859
Program Size 71
Western Washington University
4 Year
Bellingham, WA
Western Washington University, located in Bellingham, WA has 71 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,416.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 3,673 students
Tuition $8,611
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#79 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,409
Average Debt $18,750
Program Size 78
University of Arizona
4 Year
Tucson, AZ
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University of Arizona , located in Tucson, AZ has 78 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,409.
Acceptance Rate 76%
Undergraduates 9,503 students
Tuition $11,403
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#80 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,343
Average Debt $23,634
Program Size 55
Ohio State University-Main Campus
4 Year
Columbus, OH
Ohio State University-Main Campus, located in Columbus, OH has 55 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,343.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 15,025 students
Tuition N/A
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#81 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,343
Average Debt $23,634
Program Size 55
Ohio State University - Main Campus (OSU)
4 Year
Columbus, OH
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Ohio State University - Main Campus (OSU), located in Columbus, OH has 55 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,343.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 15,025 students
Tuition $10,037
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#82 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,343
Average Debt $23,634
Program Size 4
Ohio State University-Lima Campus
4 Year
Lima, OH
Ohio State University-Lima Campus, located in Lima, OH has 4 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,343.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 86 students
Tuition N/A
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#83 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,126
Average Debt $25,911
Program Size 207
Emerson College
4 Year
Boston, MA
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Emerson College , located in Boston, MA has 207 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,126.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 1,236 students
Tuition $41,052
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#84 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $27,126
Average Debt $24,070
Program Size 61
University of Iowa (UI)
4 Year
Iowa City, IA
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University of Iowa (UI), located in Iowa City, IA has 61 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $27,126.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 6,835 students
Tuition $8,104
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#85 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,933
Average Debt $18,500
Program Size 74
Towson University (TU)
4 Year
Towson, MD
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Towson University (TU), located in Towson, MD has 74 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $26,933.
Acceptance Rate 73%
Undergraduates 5,573 students
Tuition $9,182
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#86 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
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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
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#87 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,933
Average Debt $17,801
Program Size 71
UC Santa Barbara
4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
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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
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#88 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,933
Average Debt $24,443
Program Size 46
Oakland University
4 Year
Rochester Hills, MI
Oakland University, located in Rochester Hills, MI has 46 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $26,933.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 4,369 students
Tuition $11,344
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#89 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,739
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 39
American University (AU)
4 Year
Washington, DC
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American University (AU), located in Washington, DC has 39 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $26,739.
Acceptance Rate 35%
Undergraduates 3,699 students
Tuition $43,103
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#90 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $26,715
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 21
Belmont University
4 Year
Nashville, TN
Belmont University, located in Nashville, TN has 21 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $26,715.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 1,803 students
Tuition $30,000
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Other Major Rankings
Best Theatre Programs by State
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