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Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools

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2023 Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools

858 Colleges
$21,938 Avg Salary
$23,950 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's 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.

The Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 858 schools in the United States to see which bachelor's 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.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Colleges.

#1

New York University

New York, NY

Our analysis found New York University to be the most popular school for drama and theater arts students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the United States. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

About 65% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 35% are male.

On average, theater graduates from NYU take out $20,952 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $1,160, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at New York University Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Musical and Dramatic Academy. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

Of the 205 students majoring in theater at American Musical and Dramatic Academy, 24% are male and 76% are female.

When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $1,220.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at American Musical and Dramatic Academy Report

#3

Purchase College

Purchase, NY

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purchase College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Purchase College is a public college with a small student population.

Of the 151 students majoring in theater at Purchase College, 41% are male and 59% are female.

Theater majors at Purchase College take out an average of $24,068 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $584.

Read More…

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Columbia College Chicago is a great place for drama and theater arts students working on their bachelor’s degree. Columbia is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Women make up 69% of the theater majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, theater graduates from Columbia carry an average student debt load of $25,272. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $613, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Columbia College Chicago Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Southern California is a great place for drama and theater arts students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

About 56% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 44% are male.

Theater majors at USC take out an average of $16,576 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $549, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at University of Southern California Report

With a ranking of #6, Savannah College of Art and Design did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their bachelor’s degree. SCAD is a large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Savannah.

About 76% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 24% are male.

The average amount in student loans that theater majors at SCAD take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $25,054. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $1,028.

Read More…

#7

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

Texas State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the small city of San Marcos, Texas State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 59% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 41% are male.

On average, theater graduates from Texas State take out $22,392 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $338.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Texas State University Report

With a ranking of #8, Marymount Manhattan College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of New York, MMC is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

About 71% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 29% are male.

On average, theater graduates from MMC take out $23,841 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $820, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Marymount Manhattan College

#9

Emerson College

Boston, MA

Emerson College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the large city of Boston, Emerson is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

Women make up 68% of the theater majors at the school.

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $1,113, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at Emerson College

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their bachelor’s degree. Cal State Fullerton is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Fullerton.

About 63% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 37% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, theater graduates from Cal State Fullerton carry an average student debt load of $19,606.

Read More…

University of California - Irvine ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. UC Irvine is a very large public school located in the large city of Irvine.

Women make up 71% of the theater majors at the school.

Theater majors at UC Irvine take out an average of $18,375 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $265, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#12

Pace University - New York

New York, NY

Pace University - New York landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the city of New York, Pace University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Of the 107 students majoring in theater at Pace University, 44% are male and 56% are female.

For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $865.

Read More…

#13

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA

With a ranking of #13, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for drama and theater arts students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Of the 100 students majoring in theater at Loyola Marymount, 41% are male and 59% are female.

When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $927.

Read More…

#14

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree drama and theater arts programs. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston.

About 67% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 33% are male.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Northwestern University Report

#15

New York Film Academy

Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Burbank.

About 61% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 39% are male.

Theater majors at New York Film Academy take out an average of $31,895 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $1,087, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at New York Film Academy Report

#16

Chapman University

Orange, CA

Chapman University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the midsize city of Orange, Chapman is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 58% of the theater majors at the school.

For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $473.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Chapman University Report

#17

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 76% of the theater majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, theater graduates from Florida State carry an average student debt load of $18,955.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Florida State University Report

University of Central Florida landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree drama and theater arts programs. Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 73% of the theater majors at the school.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at University of Central Florida

University of Northern Colorado ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Greeley.

Women make up 64% of the theater majors at the school.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $369.

Read More…

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. UT Austin is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Austin.

About 75% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 25% are male.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at The University of Texas at Austin Report

California State University - Long Beach ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. CSULB is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Long Beach.

Women make up 58% of the theater majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that theater majors at CSULB take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $20,221.

Read full report on Drama & Theater Arts at California State University - Long Beach

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. U-M is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor.

Women make up 64% of the theater majors at the school.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

#23

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public college with a very large student population.

About 66% of the students majoring in theater at the school are women while 34% are male.

Theater majors at Temple take out an average of $24,671 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $709.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Temple University Report

#23

Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for drama and theater arts students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Allentown, Muhlenberg is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Of the 71 students majoring in theater at Muhlenberg, 18% are male and 82% are female.

The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $538, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Drama & Theater Arts at Muhlenberg College Report

University of North Texas came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Denton, UNT is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 61% of the theater majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, theater majors at UNT accumulate an average of around $22,920 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $322.

Read More…

#27

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA
#27

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY
#29

Boston University

Boston, MA
#29

The New School

New York, NY
#32

The University of the Arts

Philadelphia, PA
#33

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY
#37

DePaul University

Chicago, IL
#41

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN
#41

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY
#41

Point Park University

Pittsburgh, PA
#45

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL
#45

Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ
#47

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK
#48

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA
#48

Millikin University

Decatur, IL

Additional Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 858 different United States drama and theater arts schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
52 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
53 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
53 SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, NY
53 Elon University Elon, NC
56 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
56 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
56 Ball State University Muncie, IN
59 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
60 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
60 Roosevelt University Chicago, IL
62 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
62 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
62 Full Sail University Winter Park, FL
65 Wagner College Staten Island, NY
65 Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, WA
65 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
68 SUNY New Paltz New Paltz, NY
69 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
70 University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA
70 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
70 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
70 The City College of New York New York, NY
74 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
74 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
76 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
76 Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT
76 University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
76 California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA
76 University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA
76 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
82 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
82 North Central College Naperville, IL
82 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
82 LIU Post Brookville, NY
82 Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH
87 University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA
87 University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PR
87 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
90 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
90 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
90 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
93 Florida International University Miami, FL
93 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
93 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
93 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
93 Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OH
93 Towson University Towson, MD
99 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
99 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
101 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
101 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
101 Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC
101 Baylor University Waco, TX
105 New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY
105 University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
105 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
105 Salem State University Salem, MA
105 University of Houston Houston, TX
105 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
105 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
112 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC
112 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
112 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
112 Queens College Queens, NY
112 Fordham University Bronx, NY
112 University of Evansville Evansville, IN
112 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
112 Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA
120 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
120 Hunter College New York, NY
120 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
123 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
123 Molloy College Rockville Centre, NY
123 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
123 Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NE
127 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
127 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
127 Drake University Des Moines, IA
127 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
127 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
127 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Drama & Theater Arts students that almost earned our Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
133 Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX
133 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
133 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
133 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
133 University of Georgia Athens, GA
133 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
139 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
139 The University of Tampa Tampa, FL
139 DeSales University Center Valley, PA
139 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
139 Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA
139 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
139 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
139 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
139 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
139 Florida Southern College Lakeland, FL
139 Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
139 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
151 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
151 Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID
151 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
151 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
151 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
151 Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY
151 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
158 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
158 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
158 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
158 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
158 Bennington College Bennington, VT
158 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
158 The University of Montana Missoula, MT
158 Rhode Island College Providence, RI
166 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
166 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
166 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
166 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
166 Nazareth College Rochester, NY
166 Dean College Franklin, MA
166 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH

Drama & Theater Arts by Region

View the Most Popular Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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 26 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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