2026 Best Drama And Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Drama And Theater Arts associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1121 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts this year in the United States. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,521. Students borrow a median of $17,316 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts
A rank of #2 makes New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts one of the top choices in the United States. Set in New York, NY, New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts report
You'll be in good company at American Musical And Dramatic Academy, which ranked #3 this year. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. About 52% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,928. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $17,000. See the full American Musical And Dramatic Academy profile
Out of the 1121 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, John Tyler Community College landed the #4 spot. Set in Chester, VA, John Tyler Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. See the full John Tyler Community College profile
You'll be in good company at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Long Island City, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Read the full report on Cuny Laguardia Community College
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Students borrow a median of $14,585 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York report
Valencia College placed #7 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Located in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Get the full Valencia College report
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Graduates carry a median of $14,585 in student loans. More on American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles
Austin Community College District ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $14,519. See the full Austin Community College District profile
Weber State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in Ogden, UT, Weber State University is a public institution. Weber State University graduates 47% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Weber State University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $19,176 in debt. Read more about Weber State University
Sinclair Community College did well this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Sinclair Community College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $12,525 in debt. Read the full report on Sinclair Community College
Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles placed #12 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles is a private for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,000. Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $20,498 in debt. Read the full report on Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles
Northampton County Area Community College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Northampton County Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. See the full Northampton County Area Community College profile
Scottsdale Community College did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. See the full Scottsdale Community College profile
Salt Lake Community College placed #15 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $10,855. Read the full report on Salt Lake Community College
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $20,867 in debt. Read more about Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Finger Lakes Community College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Finger Lakes Community College is a public school based in Canandaigua, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $16,736. Read the full report on Finger Lakes Community College
Academy Of Art University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Academy Of Art University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. More on Academy Of Art University
Full Sail University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Winter Park, FL, Full Sail University is a private for-profit institution. Full Sail University graduates 45% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. See the full Full Sail University profile
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Las Vegas, NV, College Of Southern Nevada is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $9,980. Read the full report on College Of Southern Nevada
Minneapolis Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $24,036. Read more about Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Rexburg, ID, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Idaho posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $13,287. Read the full report on Brigham Young University Idaho
Utah Valley University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. This public school is set in Orem, UT. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Monroe Community College placed #24 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Rochester, NY, Monroe Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Monroe Community College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $12,921 in debt. Read the full report on Monroe Community College
Nassau Community College placed #25 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Set in Garden City, NY, Nassau Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Nassau Community College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $11,850 in debt. Get the full Nassau Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Drama And Theater Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Suffolk County Community College did well this year, earning the #26 position. Suffolk County Community College is a public school based in Selden, NY. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Suffolk County Community College
Dean College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Franklin, MA, Dean College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dean College posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,526. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Dean College
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bayside, NY. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $10,052. Read more about Cuny Queensborough Community College
Niagara County Community College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Sanborn, NY, Niagara County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $13,970. Get the full Niagara County Community College report
San Diego Mesa College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. This public school is set in San Diego, CA. San Diego Mesa College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. San Diego Mesa College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $6,999 in debt. Read the full report on San Diego Mesa College
San Antonio College did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Read the full report on San Antonio College
New York Film Academy did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Burbank, CA, New York Film Academy is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,122. Graduates carry a median of $17,167 in student loans. Get the full New York Film Academy report
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a public school based in Oklahoma City, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Oklahoma City Community College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $13,919 in debt. Read more about Oklahoma City Community College
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $10,112. See the full Central New Mexico Community College profile
Austin Peay State University placed #35 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. See the full Austin Peay State University profile
Albion College
Albion College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Albion College
Allan Hancock College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Allan Hancock College
Barton College
Barton College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Barton College
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Bethel College Mishawaka
Boston College
Boston College placed #40 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. More on Boston College
Kean University
Kean University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. See the full Kean University profile
Kenyon College
Kenyon College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Kenyon College
Scripps College
Scripps College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Scripps College
South Mountain Community College placed #44 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. See the full South Mountain Community College profile
Alfred University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Read the full report on Alfred University
Grossmont College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Grossmont College
North Greenville University placed #47 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. See the full North Greenville University profile
Orange Coast College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Orange Coast College
Wayne State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Read the full report on Wayne State University
Lafayette College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Get the full Lafayette College report
Related Drama And Theater Arts Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Undergraduate Certificate 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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