Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California
3,415 Theater students earned their degrees in the state in 2018-2019.
In this state, Drama & Theater Arts is the 43rd most popular major out of a total 325 majors commonly available.
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Education Levels of Drama & Theater Arts Majors in California
Theater majors in the state tend to have the following degree levels:
Education Level | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Bachelor’s Degree | 1,521 |
Associate’s Degree | 845 |
Master’s Degree | 377 |
Award Taking Less Than 1 Year | 371 |
Award Taking 1 to 2 Years | 285 |
Award Taking 2 to 4 Years | 285 |
Doctor’s Degree (Research / Scholarship) | 16 |
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 16 |
Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 16 |
Gender Distribution
In California, a theater major is more popular with women than with men.

Racial Distribution
The racial distribution of theater majors in California is as follows:
- Asian: 4.8%
- Black or African American: 6.5%
- Hispanic or Latino: 23.2%
- White: 40.1%
- Non-Resident Alien: 12.7%
- Other Races: 12.7%

Jobs for Drama & Theater Arts Grads in California
There are 77,660 people in the state and 418,310 people in the nation working in theater jobs.

Wages for Drama & Theater Arts Jobs in California
Theater grads earn an average of $95,250 in the state and $73,090 nationwide.

Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Programs in CA
There are 144 colleges in California that offer theater degrees. Learn about the most popular 10 below:
This school boasts a lower than average student loan default rate of 1.80%. The average student takes 4.00 years to complete their degree at New York Film Academy. 63% of students are awarded financial aid at this school.
The full-time teacher rate is 59%. Of all the students who attend this school, 69% get financial aid. Most students complete their degree in 4.18 years.
15% of the teachers are full time. 98% of students get financical aid. Graduates earn an average $18,600 after graduation.
A typical student attending Los Angeles City College will pay a net price of $5,248. Graduates earn an average $20,400 after graduation. Of all the teachers who work at the school, 33% are considered full time.
The student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1. Grads earn an average early-career salary of $43,900 after earning their degree at this institution. This private institution charges an average net price of $40,251.
In their early career, Cal State Fullerton grads earn an average salary of $35,100. Students who attend this public school pay an average net price of $8,234. The 2.60% student loan default rate is lower than average.
The student to faculty ratio is 10 to 1. In their early career, Loyola Marymount grads earn an average salary of $45,100. 92% of students get financical aid.
It takes the average student 4.20 years to graduate. 18 to 1 is the student to faculty ratio. 68% of students get financical aid.
Students who attend this public school pay an average net price of $14,171. The full-time teacher rate is 70%. The 1.30% student loan default rate is lower than average.
Roughly six years after entering college, graduates of this school earn $29,600 a year. Students enjoy a student to faculty ratio of 33 to 1. Students who attend this public school pay an average net price of $1,272.
Drama & Theater Arts Careers in CA
Some of the careers theater majors go into include:
Job Title | CA Job Growth | CA Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 15% | $100,050 |
Dancers | 13% | $0 |
Writers and Authors | 9% | $75,400 |
Producers and Directors | 8% | $97,550 |
Sports Entertainers and Performers | 7% | $0 |
Musicians and Singers | 7% | $0 |
Set and Exhibit Designers | 5% | $58,910 |
Fashion Designers | 4% | $78,680 |
Music Directors and Composers | 4% | $51,610 |
Actors | 3% | $0 |
Related Majors in California
Below are some popular majors in the state that are similar to theater.
Major | Annual Graduates in CA |
---|---|
Fine & Studio Arts | 6,630 |
Design & Applied Arts | 4,680 |
Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 4,428 |
Music | 3,615 |
General Visual & Performing Arts | 1,285 |
Dance | 490 |
Arts & Media Management | 290 |
Other Visual Art | 101 |
View all majors related to Drama & Theater Arts
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View Nationwide Drama & Theater Arts Report
References
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Image Credit: By Donald Judge under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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