2026 Best Drama And Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Drama And Theater Arts master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1121 colleges 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 analyzed schools to compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Cuny Graduate School And University Center tops our 2026 ranking of the best Drama And Theater Arts master's degree schools in the United States. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,921. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #2 on this year's Drama And Theater Arts ranking in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $24,637. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Out of the 1121 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of California Berkeley landed the #3 spot. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. 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
A rank of #4 makes Kansas State University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Kansas State University
You'll be in good company at The Juilliard School, which ranked #5 this year. Based in New York, NY, The Juilliard School is a private not-for-profit institution. The Juilliard School graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $57,950. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $26,000. See the full The Juilliard School profile
Carnegie Mellon University placed #6 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Northwestern University placed #7 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,000. Read the full report on Northwestern University
New York University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $21,762. Read more about New York University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #9 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
National University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $30,426. Read the full report on National University
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located 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
Michigan State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $22,250. Read the full report on Michigan State University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #14 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Commerce, TX. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Texas A And M University Commerce Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $23,796 in debt. See the full Texas A And M University Commerce profile
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in Winston Salem, NC, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, with out-of-state students paying around $27,211. Students borrow a median of $24,592 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Miami University Oxford did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Oxford, OH. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $24,177. Get the full Miami University Oxford report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, 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. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
University Of California Davis placed #19 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of Connecticut landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Graduates carry a median of $25,414 in student loans. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
University Of California San Diego placed #21 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
Mount St Marys College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $27,555. More on Mount St Marys College
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $16,852. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Iowa came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $26,622. Read more about University Of Iowa
Boston University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $26,958. More on Boston University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Drama And Theater Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Georgia landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. University Of Georgia Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $19,399 in debt. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of Southern California placed #27 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $12,000. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Regent University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. Regent University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. See the full Regent University profile
Texas Womans University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $24,211. Read more about Texas Womans University
University Of California Irvine came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $17,862. More on University Of California Irvine
Azusa Pacific University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Azusa, CA, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Azusa Pacific University Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $23,709 in debt. See the full Azusa Pacific University profile
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $23,250. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
The University Of Montana landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Missoula, MT. The University Of Montana posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,997 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about The University Of Montana
Lindenwood University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Located in Saint Charles, MO, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Lindenwood University profile
University Of South Dakota did well this year, earning the #35 position. This public school is set in Vermillion, SD. University Of South Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. The median Drama And Theater Arts program debt is $26,322. Get the full University Of South Dakota report
University Of Houston landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. More on University Of Houston
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Arkansas placed #38 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fayetteville, AR. University Of Arkansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Get the full University Of Arkansas report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #39 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $20,500. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $25,250. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Tulane University Of Louisiana Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $22,077 in debt. Read the full report on Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of Nevada Las Vegas did well this year, earning the #42 position. Set in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. University Of Nevada Las Vegas Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $19,657 in debt. More on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Read more about Tufts University
Yale University placed #44 among Drama And Theater Arts schools in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read the full report on Yale University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete their Drama And Theater Arts program here. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set 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, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $23,250. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Drama And Theater Arts students take on a median of $16,970 in debt. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
Pepperdine University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. Set in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pepperdine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full Pepperdine University profile
The University Of Tennessee ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Drama And Theater Arts schools. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. The University Of Tennessee posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical Drama And Theater Arts student debt is $22,859. More on The University Of Tennessee
University Of Central Florida did well this year, earning the #50 position. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. University Of Central Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Graduates carry a median of $21,585 in student loans. Get the full University Of Central Florida 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 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 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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