Associate Degrees in Drama & Theater Arts
Education Levels of Theater Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 1,478 people earned their associate degree in theater. This earns it the #65 spot on the list of the most popular associate degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in theater at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12,468 |
| Master’s Degree | 1,756 |
| Associate Degree | 1,478 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 635 |
| Basic Certificate | 391 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 89 |
| Graduate Certificate | 36 |
Earnings of Theater Majors With Associate Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding an associate degree in theater is $15,612. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $12,445 to a high of $16,684.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding an associate degree in theater is $45,724. The school you go to and how long it takes you to graduate, among other things, can cause this number to vary. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $55,643 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $41,074.
The median monthly payment of a theater graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $544.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their associate degree in theater. About 58.6% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 612 |
| Women | 866 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of theater associate degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 50 |
| Black or African American | 177 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 387 |
| White | 618 |
| International Students | 125 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 121 |
Most Popular Theater Programs for Associate Degrees
There are 239 colleges that offer an associate degree in theater. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for theater students seekingan associate degree is American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles. Roughly 100 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 150 people received their associate degree in theater from American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles. Of these students, 55% were women and 30% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their associate degree in theater at American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles make a median salary of 15,612.
New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in theater. Roughly 200 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 143 people received their associate degree in theater from New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Of these students, 63% were women and 49% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Roughly 100 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 86 people received their associate degree in theater from American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York. About 66% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $15,612.
Citrus College comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Roughly 11,800 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 51 people received their associate degree in theater from Citrus College. About 37% of this group were women, and 80% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in theater at Citrus College make a median salary of 15,612.
The 5th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their associate degree is KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts. Each year, around 0 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 31 people received their associate degree in theater from KD Conservatory. About 39% of this group were women, and 78% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in theater at KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts make a median salary of 15,612.
Moorpark College comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Each year, around 14,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 30 people received their associate degree in theater from Moorpark College. Of these students, 72% were women and 48% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Moorpark College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $15,612.
American Musical and Dramatic Academy comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Roughly 1,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $45,260 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $45,260 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 28 people received their associate degree in theater from American Musical and Dramatic Academy. About 66% of this group were women, and 44% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in theater at American Musical and Dramatic Academy make a median salary of 15,612.
Santa Monica College comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Roughly 25,900 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 28 people received their associate degree in theater from SMC. Of these students, 61% were women and 50% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Santa Monica College theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
LaGuardia Community College comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Each year, around 16,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 26 people received their associate degree in theater from LaGuardia. About 35% of this group were women, and 100% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. LaGuardia Community College theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
Long Beach City College comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Each year, around 23,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 23 people received their associate degree in theater from Long Beach City College. About 62% of this group were women, and 54% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in theater at Long Beach City College make a median salary of 15,612.
College of the Canyons comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Each year, around 20,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 22 people received their associate degree in theater from College of the Canyons. Around 65% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 53% were women. Those who complete their associate degree in theater at College of the Canyons make a median salary of 15,612.
Suffolk County Community College comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Roughly 22,500 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 21 people received their associate degree in theater from Suffolk County Community College. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 75% were women. Suffolk County Community College theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
East Los Angeles College is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in theater. Each year, around 33,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 21 people received their associate degree in theater from East Los Angeles College. About 67% of this group were women, and 83% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that East Los Angeles College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $15,612.
Mt. San Antonio College is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in theater. Roughly 28,300 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 20 people received their associate degree in theater from Mt. SAC. About 60% of this group were women, and 80% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Mt. San Antonio College theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
The 15th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their associate degree is Fullerton College. Roughly 21,400 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 19 people received their associate degree in theater from Fullerton College. About 68% of this group were women, and 58% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in theater at Fullerton College make a median salary of 15,612.
The 15th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their associate degree is Saddleback College. Each year, around 18,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 19 people received their associate degree in theater from Saddleback College. Of these students, 67% were women and 17% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Saddleback College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $15,612.
West Valley College comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in theater. Roughly 7,500 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 18 people received their associate degree in theater from West Valley College. Of these students, 67% were women and 33% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that West Valley College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $15,612.
The 17th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their associate degree is FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $31,725 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $42,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 18 people received their associate degree in theater from FIDM Los Angeles. FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
The 17th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their associate degree is Queensborough Community College. Roughly 12,400 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 18 people received their associate degree in theater from QCC. Of these students, 22% were women and 78% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Queensborough Community College theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
Riverside City College is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in theater. Roughly 20,000 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 17 people received their associate degree in theater from Riverside City College. Of these students, 67% were women and 75% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Riverside City College theater graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $15,612.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to theater that offer associate degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Design & Applied Arts | 7,578 |
| Fine & Studio Arts | 4,447 |
| Music | 1,952 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 1,740 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 1,531 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Donald Judge under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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