2026 Best Drama And Theater Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Drama And Theater Arts doctoral degree 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Cuny Graduate School And University Center this year in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,000. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on this year's Drama And Theater Arts ranking in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. University Of California Berkeley Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $15,112 in debt. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Out of the 1121 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $24,958. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #5 on this year's Drama And Theater Arts ranking in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $26,000. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,970 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $13,000. See the full University Of California Davis profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $21,813. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
New York University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Graduates carry a median of $21,762 in student loans. Read more about New York University
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #10 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $16,852 in debt. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
Tufts University placed #11 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read the full report on Tufts University
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $20,500. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $20,681. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of California San Diego landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. University Of California San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $14,650. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Florida State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Florida State University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. More on Florida State University
Brown University placed #19 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on Brown University
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $15,638 in debt. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Indiana University Bloomington placed #22 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $22,000. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Oregon landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. University Of Oregon posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on University Of Oregon
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Drama And Theater Arts Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Kansas did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $23,608. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $25,250. More on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Hawaii At Manoa did well this year, earning the #28 position. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. University Of Hawaii At Manoa Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $20,577 in debt. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Arizona State University placed #29 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,606 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full Arizona State University report
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California
Suny At Fredonia
Suny At Fredonia did well this year, earning the #31 position. More on Suny At Fredonia
Alabama State University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read more about Alabama State University
Concordia University Irvine ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. More on Concordia University Irvine
Genesee Community College did well this year, earning the #34 position. Read the full report on Genesee Community College
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #35 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis profile
Lyon College
Lyon College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. See the full Lyon College profile
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts did well this year, earning the #37 position. See the full University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts profile
East Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full East Tennessee State University report
Clarendon College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. More on Clarendon College
Scottsdale Community College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. See the full Scottsdale Community College profile
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh report
University Of Central Oklahoma did well this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about University Of Central Oklahoma
University Of New Orleans landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of New Orleans report
Washington University In St Louis landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Bob Jones University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Bob Jones University
Bucknell University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Get the full Bucknell University report
Davis And Elkins College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. More on Davis And Elkins College
Finger Lakes Community College placed #48 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Get the full Finger Lakes Community College report
Henderson State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Henderson State University
Lewis University
Lewis University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Lewis University
Related Drama And Theater Arts Rankings
See rankings for 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drama And Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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