2023 Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools
Finding the Best Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree School for You
In 2020-2021, 17,341 people earned a degree or certificate in drama and theater arts, making the major the #60 most popular in the United States.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 239 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Drama & Theater Arts program at each school on the list.
2023 Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Colleges.
Top 25 Most Popular Schools for an Associate in Drama & Theater Arts
Our 2023 rankings named American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles the most popular school in the United States for drama and theater arts students working on their associate degree. American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Of the 150 students majoring in theater at American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles, 30% are male and 70% are female.
While working on their Associate Degree, theater majors at American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles accumulate an average of around $11,484 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $387.
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The in-demand associate degree programs at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular drama and theater arts schools in the United States. Located in the large city of New York, New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
About 58% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 42% are male.
After completing their Associate Degree, theater graduates from New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts carry an average student debt load of $15,833. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $603.
Full Drama & Theater Arts at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts Report
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York is a great place for drama and theater arts students working on their associate degree. American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.
Women make up 66% of the theater majors at the school.
While working on their Associate Degree, theater majors at American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York accumulate an average of around $11,484 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $387.
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Out of the 239 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Citrus College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
About 63% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 37% are male.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools list. KD Conservatory is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Dallas.
Of the 31 students majoring in theater at KD Conservatory, 48% are male and 52% are female.
Theater majors at KD Conservatory take out an average of $20,104 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $165.
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With a ranking of #6, Moorpark College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a public college with a large student population.
About 70% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 30% are male.
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Santa Monica College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the city of Santa Monica, SMC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Of the 28 students majoring in theater at SMC, 32% are male and 68% are female.
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American Musical and Dramatic Academy ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools list. American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.
About 89% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 11% are male.
Full Drama & Theater Arts at American Musical and Dramatic Academy Report
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LaGuardia Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. LaGuardia is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City.
Women make up 50% of the theater majors at the school.
After completing their Associate Degree, theater graduates from LaGuardia carry an average student debt load of $7,806.
Full Drama & Theater Arts at LaGuardia Community College Report
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Long Beach City College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a public school with a very large student population.
Women make up 74% of the theater majors at the school.
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College of the Canyons did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita.
Of the 22 students majoring in theater at College of the Canyons, 73% are male and 27% are female.
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Suffolk County Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the large suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a public school with a very large student population.
Women make up 67% of the theater majors at the school.
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East Los Angeles College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Of the 21 students majoring in theater at East Los Angeles College, 48% are male and 52% are female.
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Mt. San Antonio College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. Mt. SAC is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Walnut.
About 65% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 35% are male.
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Fullerton College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools list. Fullerton College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Fullerton.
Women make up 47% of the theater majors at the school.
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With a ranking of #15, Saddleback College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a public college with a large student population.
Women make up 63% of the theater majors at the school.
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West Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. West Valley College is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Saratoga.
About 67% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 33% are male.
Full Drama & Theater Arts at West Valley College Report
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Queensborough Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the city of Bayside, QCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Women make up 39% of the theater majors at the school.
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With a ranking of #17, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Los Angeles, FIDM Los Angeles is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Of the 18 students majoring in theater at FIDM Los Angeles, 6% are male and 94% are female.
Full Drama & Theater Arts at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles Report
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Bakersfield College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree drama and theater arts programs. Bakersfield College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Bakersfield.
Women make up 59% of the theater majors at the school.
Full Drama & Theater Arts at Bakersfield College Report
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Riverside City College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools list. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Riverside.
Women make up 53% of the theater majors at the school.
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Northern Oklahoma College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the remote town of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a public college with a small student population.
About 63% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 38% are male.
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Snow College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the remote town of Ephraim, Snow College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Women make up 50% of the theater majors at the school.
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Diablo Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Diablo Valley is a large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill.
Of the 16 students majoring in theater at Diablo Valley, 19% are male and 81% are female.
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With a ranking of #25, Saint Johns River State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the distant town of Palatka, St. Johns River Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Women make up 47% of the theater majors at the school.
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Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional popular schools for Drama & Theater Arts students that almost earned our Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA |
| 37 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA |
| 37 | Ventura College | Ventura, CA |
| 37 | Cypress College | Cypress, CA |
| 37 | American River College | Sacramento, CA |
| 37 | Las Positas College | Livermore, CA |
| 43 | Los Medanos College | Pittsburg, CA |
| 43 | Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell, PA |
| 43 | El Camino College | Torrance, CA |
| 43 | Golden West College | Huntington Beach, CA |
| 43 | Los Angeles City College | Los Angeles, CA |
Drama & Theater Arts by Region
View the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Majors Related to Theater
One of 10 majors within the area of study, drama and theater arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Theater
| 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 27 schools only.
- 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.
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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