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Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York

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2023 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York

52 Colleges
$23,795 Avg Salary
$22,052 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Drama & Theater Arts School for You

With 2,542 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, drama and theater arts is the #33 most popular major in New York.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 52 schools in New York to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York

Check out the theater programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools

Our analysis found The Graduate Center, CUNY to be the best school for drama and theater arts students who want to pursue a degree in New York. Located in the city of New York, The Graduate Center is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at The Graduate Center, CUNY Report

Out of the 52 schools in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, American Musical and Dramatic Academy landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the city of New York, American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, theater graduates from American Musical and Dramatic Academy take out $19,500 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $938.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at American Musical and Dramatic Academy

The excellent programs at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best drama and theater arts schools in New York. New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of New York.

The average amount in student loans that theater majors at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts take out is $12,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $603.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

#4

The Juilliard School

New York, NY

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The Juilliard School. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York list. Located in the city of New York, Juilliard is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at The Juilliard School

#5

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Skidmore College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York list. Located in the small suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Skidmore College Report

#6

New York University

New York, NY

New York University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for drama and theater arts students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, theater majors at NYU accumulate an average of around $23,236 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $1,160.

Read More…

#7

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best drama and theater arts programs. Ithaca is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca.

Theater majors at Ithaca take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $685, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Ithaca College

#8

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York list. Located in the large suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, theater graduates from Vassar take out $20,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Vassar College

#9

LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY

LaGuardia Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York list. Located in the city of Long Island City, LaGuardia is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at LaGuardia Community College

#10

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in New York list. Located in the midsize city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, theater graduates from Syracuse carry an average student debtload of $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $1,083.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Syracuse University Report

Best Drama & Theater Arts Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region

Explore all the Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 754
Maryland 179
New Jersey 210
District of Columbia 67

Drama & Theater Arts is one of 10 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 37,413
Design & Applied Arts 36,301
Music 25,910
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 16,778
General Visual & Performing Arts 6,355

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Donald Judge.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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