Master’s Degrees in Drama & Theater Arts
Education Levels of Theater Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 1,756 people earned their master's degree in theater. This makes it the 83rd most popular master'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 Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in theater is $27,533. 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 $24,379 to a high of $37,648.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for theater students who are master's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their master's degree in theater. About 62.5% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 658 |
| Women | 1,098 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of theater master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 50 |
| Black or African American | 201 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 168 |
| White | 1,036 |
| International Students | 173 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 128 |
Most Popular Theater Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 187 colleges that offer a master’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 master's degree. Each year, around 52,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 108 people received their master's degree in theater from NYU. Around 31% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 62% were women. New York University theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their master's degree is New York Film Academy. Each year, around 1,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 49 people received their master's degree in theater from New York Film Academy. Of these students, 64% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that New York Film Academy graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $27,533.
Savannah College of Art and Design comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Roughly 14,200 attend the school each year. 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, 45 people received their master's degree in theater from SCAD. About 63% of this group were women, and 14% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Savannah College of Art and Design theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
Regent University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Each year, around 10,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,986 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,128 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 34 people received their master's degree in theater from Regent. About 66% of this group were women, and 22% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Regent University theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
California Institute of the Arts is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theater. Each year, around 1,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $56,074 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $41,140 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 33 people received their master's degree in theater from CalArts. Of these students, 58% were women and 32% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. California Institute of the Arts theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
Florida State University comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Roughly 43,500 attend the school each year. 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, 33 people received their master's degree in theater from Florida State. Of these students, 46% were women and 32% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in theater at Florida State University make a median salary of 27,533.
The 7th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their master's degree is DePaul University. Each year, around 21,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $43,379 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $22,135 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 32 people received their master's degree in theater from DePaul. About 54% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. DePaul University theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
Academy of Art University comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Roughly 8,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $27,024 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $30,696 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 31 people received their master's degree in theater from Academy of Art University. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 64% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in theater at Academy of Art University make a median salary of 27,533.
The 9th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Southern California. Each year, around 46,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 30 people received their master's degree in theater from USC. Of these students, 57% were women and 50% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Southern California theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
Mary Baldwin University comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Each year, around 2,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $32,732 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,000 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 30 people received their master's degree in theater from Mary Baldwin. Around 6% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women. Mary Baldwin University theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
Columbia University in the City of New York is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theater. Roughly 30,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,576 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 30 people received their master's degree in theater from Columbia. Around 37% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 68% were women. Data shows that Columbia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $27,533.
Emerson College is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theater. Each year, around 5,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 25 people received their master's degree in theater from Emerson. Around 38% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 57% were women. Data shows that Emerson graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $27,533.
Ohio University - Athens Campus comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Each year, around 25,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,746 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,444 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 25 people received their master's degree in theater from OHIO Athens. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 57% were women. Data shows that OHIO Athens graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $27,533.
The University of Texas at Austin comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Each year, around 50,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 24 people received their master's degree in theater from UT Austin. Of these students, 67% were women and 33% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in theater at The University of Texas at Austin make a median salary of 27,533.
Carnegie Mellon University comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Each year, around 13,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,260 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $48,496 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 24 people received their master's degree in theater from Carnegie Mellon. About 61% of this group were women, and 44% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in theater at Carnegie Mellon University make a median salary of 27,533.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theater. Roughly 1,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,497 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,696 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 23 people received their master's degree in theater from UNCSA. About 75% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UNCSA graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $27,533.
Northwestern University is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theater. Roughly 22,600 attend the school each year. 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, 22 people received their master's degree in theater from Northwestern. About 71% of this group were women, and 54% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Northwestern University theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
University of Houston comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Roughly 47,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,685 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,723 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 22 people received their master's degree in theater from UH. Of these students, 71% were women and 38% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Houston theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
University of California - Los Angeles comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theater. Roughly 44,500 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, 21 people received their master's degree in theater from UCLA. About 70% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of California - Los Angeles theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
The 20th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of California - Irvine. Each year, around 36,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 20 people received their master's degree in theater from UC Irvine. Of these students, 69% were women and 46% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of California - Irvine theater graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $27,533.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to theater that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Music | 6,247 |
| Fine & Studio Arts | 3,058 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 1,871 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 1,688 |
| Arts & Media Management | 1,178 |
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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