2026 Best Drama And Theater Arts Schools
Looking for the best Drama And Theater Arts programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 1121 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Drama And Theater Arts Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is University Of Notre Dame, our #1 Drama And Theater Arts school in the United States. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. More on University Of Notre Dame
Duke University came in at #2 on this year's Drama And Theater Arts ranking in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Duke University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. Read the full report on Duke University
Lafayette College came in at #3 on this year's Drama And Theater Arts ranking in the United States. Based in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. Get the full Lafayette College report
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top choices in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,921. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
You'll be in good company at College Of The Holy Cross, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,500. College Of The Holy Cross Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $26,387 in debt. Get the full College Of The Holy Cross report
Dartmouth College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. More on Dartmouth College
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Located in Dallas, TX, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,521. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $17,316 in debt. See the full Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts profile
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #8 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $19,273. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Emory University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Emory University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $19,431 in debt. Read the full report on Emory University
Brandeis University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on Brandeis University
Winona State University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read the full report on Winona State University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Northwestern University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $17,000 in debt. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $24,637. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
American Musical And Dramatic Academy landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $46,928 in tuition and fees. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,000. More on American Musical And Dramatic Academy
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in New York, NY, New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,550. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $12,000. More on New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts
Drake University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. About 73% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Drake University
The Juilliard School landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, The Juilliard School is a private not-for-profit institution. The Juilliard School graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $57,950 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full The Juilliard School report
Sacred Heart University did well this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. Sacred Heart University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Sacred Heart University
Luther College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Decorah, IA. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $26,967. Read more about Luther College
North Dakota State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. North Dakota State University Main Campus Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $21,813. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in St. Mary's City, MD, St Marys College Of Maryland is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, compared with $31,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about St Marys College Of Maryland
Skidmore College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Saratoga Springs, NY, Skidmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,140. Students borrow a median of $18,274 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on Skidmore College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Drama And Theater Arts Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Williams College placed #28 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Williams College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $12,615 in debt. See the full Williams College profile
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Winston Salem, NC, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public institution. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates 78% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,592 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
University Of Evansville came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Evansville, IN, University Of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. University Of Evansville Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $23,727 in debt. Read more about University Of Evansville
University Of Nebraska At Kearney did well this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. University Of Nebraska At Kearney posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. University Of Nebraska At Kearney Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $22,173 in debt. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Boston College did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Boston College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $18,101 in debt. Get the full Boston College report
Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Moorhead, MN, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. See the full Concordia College At Moorhead profile
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $19,844 in debt. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #35 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #36 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. University Of Southern California Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Miami University Oxford did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $24,177. See the full Miami University Oxford profile
James Madison University placed #39 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about James Madison University
National University placed #40 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. See the full National University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #41 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $24,958. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
New York University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,762 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on New York University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. More on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Nebraska Wesleyan University placed #44 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lincoln, NE. About 66% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,572. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $27,000. Read more about Nebraska Wesleyan University
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #45 position. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read more about Michigan State University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $22,337. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Boston University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Boston University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $26,958 in debt. See the full Boston University profile
University Of Puget Sound ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,898. Students borrow a median of $25,287 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about University Of Puget Sound
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $23,250. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
Western Washington University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Western Washington University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full Western Washington University report
Best Drama And Theater Arts Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1121 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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