2026 Best Drama And Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Drama And Theater Arts bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1121 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Notre Dame earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $19,000. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
You'll be in good company at Duke University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Duke University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. More on Duke University
A rank of #3 makes Lafayette College one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Easton, PA. Lafayette College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. Lafayette College Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $16,931 in debt. Read the full report on Lafayette College
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Holy Cross one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,500 in tuition and fees. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $26,387. Read the full report on College Of The Holy Cross
Out of the 1121 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Dartmouth College landed the #5 spot. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Get the full Dartmouth College report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $19,273. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Emory University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $19,431. See the full Emory University profile
Brandeis University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waltham, MA. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $25,653. Read the full report on Brandeis University
Northwestern University placed #9 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on Northwestern University
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Winona State University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Winona State University is a public school based in Winona, MN. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 more about Winona State University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $15,112. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $24,637. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
The Juilliard School placed #14 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, The Juilliard School is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,950. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on The Juilliard School
Drake University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school based in Des Moines, IA. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full Drake University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $21,813. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Sacred Heart University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $25,831. Read more about Sacred Heart University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Luther College placed #19 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school based in Decorah, IA. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Students borrow a median of $26,967 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on Luther College
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts placed #21 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Winston Salem, NC. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,592 in student loans. More on University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in St. Mary's City, MD, St Marys College Of Maryland is a public institution. St Marys College Of Maryland graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. St Marys College Of Maryland Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $22,655 in debt. Get the full St Marys College Of Maryland report
Skidmore College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Skidmore College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,140. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $18,274. Get the full Skidmore College report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $20,798 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Williams College did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamstown, MA. Williams College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $12,615. See the full Williams College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Drama And Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Washington University In St Louis placed #26 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. More on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Evansville landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Based in Evansville, IN, University Of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,172. Graduates carry a median of $23,727 in student loans. More on University Of Evansville
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #28 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public school based in Kearney, NE. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
University Of Southern California ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $12,000. Get the full University Of Southern California report
Boston College placed #30 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $18,101. Read the full report on Boston College
Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moorhead, MN. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,170. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $26,637. More on Concordia College At Moorhead
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $19,844. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #33 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $18,627. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Miami University Oxford ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Miami University Oxford is a public school based in Oxford, OH. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read the full report on Miami University Oxford
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $16,970. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Boston University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans. See the full Boston University profile
James Madison University placed #38 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Set in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. James Madison University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. Read more about James Madison University
University Of Iowa placed #39 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $26,622. Get the full University Of Iowa report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. More on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $23,250. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
Nebraska Wesleyan University placed #42 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lincoln, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,572. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Nebraska Wesleyan University
New York University did well this year, earning the #43 position. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $21,762. More on New York University
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Michigan State University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Get the full Michigan State University report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #46 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
University Of Puget Sound came in at #47 in this year's ranking. University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. University Of Puget Sound Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $25,287 in debt. Get the full University Of Puget Sound report
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in San Marcos, TX. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Texas State University San Marcos Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read the full report on Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #49 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. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
Western Washington University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Located in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Western Washington University
Related Drama And Theater Arts Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Associate’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
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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