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Bachelor's Degree in Theater Arts

Bachelor’s Degrees in Theater Arts

8,624 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
35% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*
A bachelor's degree in theater is offered at 794 colleges in the United States. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were female, and 35% were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 2.7% of theater graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Theater Majors

During the most recent year for which data is available, 8,624 people earned their bachelor's degree in theater. This earns it the #47 spot on the list of the most popular bachelor's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in theater at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Bachelor’s Degree 8,624
Master’s Degree 927
Associate Degree 882
Undergraduate Certificate 295
Basic Certificate 103
Doctor’s Degree 70
Graduate Certificate 16

Earnings of Theater Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees

At this time, we do not have the data to estimate the median earnings for this class of people.

Student Debt

We do not have the data to estimate the median debt for this class of people.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in theater. About 66.8% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 2,860
Women 5,764
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The racial-ethnic distribution of theater bachelor’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 272
Black or African American 853
Hispanic or Latino 1,403
White 5,184
International Students 236
Other Races/Ethnicities 676
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There are 794 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in theater. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

New York University

New York, New York
294 Yearly Graduations
70% Women
47% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

New York University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Roughly 52,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,438 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,826 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 294 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from NYU. About 70% of this group were women, and 47% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#2

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
123 Yearly Graduations
62% Women
50% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Texas State University comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 37,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,606 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,147 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 123 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Texas State. Around 50% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 62% were women.

110 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
66% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 3rd most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is California State University - Fullerton. Roughly 42,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 110 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Cal State Fullerton. Around 66% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 67% were women.

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
98 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Northwestern University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Each year, around 22,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,887 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $52,698 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Northwestern. Of these students, 63% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#5

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, California
97 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
58% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 5th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of California - Irvine. Roughly 36,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 97 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UC Irvine. Around 58% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women.

#6

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
86 Yearly Graduations
69% Women
36% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Florida State University comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Each year, around 43,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,684 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 86 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Florida State. Of these students, 69% were women and 36% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#7

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
83 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
40% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 7th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Central Florida. Each year, around 71,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,478 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,916 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 83 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UCF. About 67% of this group were women, and 40% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

76 Yearly Graduations
68% Women
64% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

California State University - Long Beach comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Each year, around 40,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from CSULB. Of these students, 68% were women and 64% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

Muhlenberg College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
71 Yearly Graduations
75% Women
10% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Muhlenberg College is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Each year, around 2,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,505 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,480 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 71 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Muhlenberg. About 75% of this group were women, and 10% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#10

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
70 Yearly Graduations
65% Women
41% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of North Texas comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 40,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,319 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,160 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 70 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UNT. Around 41% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women.

#11

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
69 Yearly Graduations
75% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

James Madison University is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Each year, around 21,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,914 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,856 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 69 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from JMU. About 75% of this group were women, and 29% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#12

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
64 Yearly Graduations
56% Women
17% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Northern Kentucky University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Roughly 16,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,512 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,206 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 64 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from NKU. Around 17% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 56% were women.

#12

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
64 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 52,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,496 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,116 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 64 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UMN Twin Cities. Around 20% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women.

#14

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
63 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
37% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Northern Colorado comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Each year, around 11,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,784 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,204 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 63 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from University of Northern Colorado. About 63% of this group were women, and 37% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#14

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
63 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
46% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 14th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of California - Los Angeles. Each year, around 44,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 63 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from UCLA. Around 46% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women.

61 Yearly Graduations
57% Women
43% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 16th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Arizona State University - Tempe. Roughly 74,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 61 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from ASU - Tempe. Of these students, 57% were women and 43% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#17

California State University - Northridge

Northridge, California
59 Yearly Graduations
61% Women
70% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is California State University - Northridge. Roughly 40,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 59 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from CSUN. Around 70% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 61% were women.

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
58 Yearly Graduations
61% Women
31% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Notre Dame is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in theater. Roughly 12,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,186 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,030 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 58 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Notre Dame. About 61% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#18

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
58 Yearly Graduations
61% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 18th most popular school in the country for theater majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Illinois State University. Each year, around 20,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,971 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 58 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Illinois State. Of these students, 61% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#18

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon
58 Yearly Graduations
52% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Southern Oregon University comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in theater. Roughly 5,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,675 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,553 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 58 people received their bachelor's degree in theater from Southern Oregon University. About 52% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

Below are some popular majors that are similar to theater that offer bachelor’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Musical Theater 1,150
Acting 1,072
Theater Design & Technology 662
Playwriting & Screenwriting 414
Other Theatre Arts & Stagecraft 235

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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