Bachelor’s Degrees in Drama & Theater Arts
Education Levels of Theater Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 12,468 people earned their bachelor's degree in theater. This makes it the 38th most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
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 Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in theater is $20,701. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $18,002 to a high of $23,908.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in theater is $50,400. 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, $78,660 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $26,913.
The median monthly payment of a theater graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $599.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in theater. About 66.1% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 4,227 |
| Women | 8,241 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of theater bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 390 |
| Black or African American | 1,180 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,951 |
| White | 7,584 |
| International Students | 374 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 989 |
Most Popular Theater Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 859 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in theater. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
New York University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Roughly 52,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,438 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,826 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 343 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from NYU. Around 46% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 69% were women. New York University theater graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $20,701.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is American Musical and Dramatic Academy. 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, 205 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Around 56% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 72% were women. Data shows that American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
Purchase College is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Each year, around 3,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 151 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Purchase College. Of these students, 55% were women and 47% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Purchase College theater graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $20,701.
Columbia College Chicago comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 6,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $30,734 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $1,270 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 148 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Columbia. About 71% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Columbia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
University of Southern California comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 46,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $66,640 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 145 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from USC. About 73% of this group were women, and 48% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that USC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
Savannah College of Art and Design comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Each year, around 14,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $40,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $41,085 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 142 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from SCAD. About 71% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that SCAD graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
Texas State University is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Roughly 37,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,606 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,147 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 139 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Texas State. Of these students, 62% were women and 51% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Texas State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
The 8th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Marymount Manhattan College. Each year, around 1,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 121 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from MMC. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 78% were women. Marymount Manhattan College theater graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $20,701.
Emerson College comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 5,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $53,824 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $33,648 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 118 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Emerson. Of these students, 63% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Emerson College theater graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $20,701.
The 10th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is California State University - Fullerton. Roughly 42,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 110 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Cal State Fullerton. Of these students, 67% were women and 66% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. California State University - Fullerton theater graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $20,701.
University of California - Irvine is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Roughly 36,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 109 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UC Irvine. Of these students, 64% were women and 55% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UC Irvine graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
Pace University - New York comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 12,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $49,550 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,091 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 107 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Pace University. Of these students, 61% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in theater at Pace University - New York make a median salary of 20,701.
The 13th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Loyola Marymount University. Each year, around 9,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $57,602 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $21,588 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 100 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Loyola Marymount. Around 40% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 64% were women. Data shows that Loyola Marymount graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
Northwestern University is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Each year, around 22,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,887 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $52,698 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Northwestern. About 63% of this group were women, and 29% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Northwestern University theater graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $20,701.
New York Film Academy is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Roughly 1,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $34,898 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $37,195 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 97 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from New York Film Academy. Around 25% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 59% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in theater at New York Film Academy make a median salary of 20,701.
Chapman University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Each year, around 9,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,604 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 88 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Chapman. Around 24% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 49% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in theater at Chapman University make a median salary of 20,701.
The 17th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Florida State University. Each year, around 43,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,684 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 86 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Florida State. About 69% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in theater at Florida State University make a median salary of 20,701.
University of Central Florida is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Each year, around 71,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,478 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,916 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 83 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UCF. Around 40% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 67% were women. University of Central Florida theater graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $20,701.
University of Northern Colorado comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Each year, around 11,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,784 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,204 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 80 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from University of Northern Colorado. About 58% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in theater at University of Northern Colorado make a median salary of 20,701.
The University of Texas at Austin is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 77 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UT Austin. Of these students, 67% were women and 54% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UT Austin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $20,701.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to theater that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 23,952 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 19,777 |
| Music | 15,299 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 12,664 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 4,199 |
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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