2024 Best Colleges for Theatre

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Theatre, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Theatre degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Theatre programs in America. The list includes 808 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Theatre is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Theatre: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Theatre. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Theatre program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Theatre we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Theatre.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Theatre in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Theatre Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Theatre?

Michigan Technological University is the best university for majoring in Theatre based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Michigan Technological University earned an average of $49,683 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Theatre?

Brigham Young University-Idaho is the cheapest university for majoring in Theatre based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $3,830 to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Theatre?

Columbia University in the City of New York is the most expensive university for majoring in Theatre based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $53,000 to attend Columbia University in the City of New York.

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#1 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $49,683
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 4
Michigan Technological University
4 Year
Houghton, MI
Michigan Technological University, located in Houghton, MI has 4 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $49,683.
Acceptance Rate 75%
Undergraduates 1,623 students
Tuition $14,286
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#2 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $45,128
Average Debt $20,500
Program Size 55
The University of Texas at Austin (UT)
4 Year
Austin, TX
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The University of Texas at Austin (UT), located in Austin, TX has 55 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $45,128.
Acceptance Rate 39%
Undergraduates 13,864 students
Tuition $9,806
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#3 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $43,575
Average Debt $21,500
Program Size 120
University of Notre Dame
4 Year
Notre Dame, IN
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University of Notre Dame, located in Notre Dame, IN has 120 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $43,575.
Acceptance Rate 20%
Undergraduates 3,628 students
Tuition $47,929
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#4 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $38,829
Average Debt $13,154
Program Size 74
CUNY New York City College of Technology
4 Year
Brooklyn, NY
CUNY New York City College of Technology, located in Brooklyn, NY has 74 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $38,829.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 1,262 students
Tuition $6,669
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#5 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $38,289
Average Debt $23,550
Program Size 36
Texas Tech University (TTU)
4 Year
Lubbock, TX
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Texas Tech University (TTU), located in Lubbock, TX has 36 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $38,289.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 7,618 students
Tuition $8,028
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#6 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $38,127
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 12
Texas Woman's University
4 Year
Denton, TX
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Texas Woman's University, located in Denton, TX has 12 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $38,127.
Acceptance Rate 86%
Undergraduates 3,712 students
Tuition $6,948
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#7 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $35,701
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 104
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
4 Year
Pittsburgh, PA
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Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), located in Pittsburgh, PA has 104 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $35,701.
Acceptance Rate 24%
Undergraduates 4,543 students
Tuition $50,665
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#8 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $35,060
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 45
West Texas A & M University
4 Year
Canyon, TX
West Texas A & M University, located in Canyon, TX has 45 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $35,060.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 2,273 students
Tuition $7,041
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#9 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $33,446
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 10
SUNY Oneonta
4 Year
Oneonta, NY
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SUNY Oneonta, located in Oneonta, NY has 10 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $33,446.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 1,604 students
Tuition $7,870
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#10 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $33,281
Average Debt $20,839
Program Size 97
University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV)
4 Year
Las Vegas, NV
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University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV), located in Las Vegas, NV has 97 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $33,281.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 5,408 students
Tuition $6,943
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#11 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $32,925
Average Debt $28,233
Program Size 56
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz)
4 Year
Denver, CO
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University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz), located in Denver, CO has 56 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $32,925.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 5,146 students
Tuition $8,692
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#12 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $32,569
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 17
Tufts University
4 Year
Medford, MA
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Tufts University, located in Medford, MA has 17 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $32,569.
Acceptance Rate 16%
Undergraduates 3,249 students
Tuition $50,604
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#13 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $32,213
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 162
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
4 Year
Winston-Salem, NC
University of North Carolina School of the Arts, located in Winston-Salem, NC has 162 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $32,213.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 236 students
Tuition $8,983
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#14 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $32,029
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 45
CUNY Queens College
4 Year
Queens, NY
CUNY Queens College, located in Queens, NY has 45 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $32,029.
Acceptance Rate 40%
Undergraduates 3,845 students
Tuition $6,938
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#15 Best College for Theatre
Average Salary $31,941
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 37
University of Wisconsin-Madison
4 Year
Madison, WI
University of Wisconsin-Madison, located in Madison, WI has 37 students majoring in Theatre. On average, graduates earn $31,941.
Acceptance Rate 58%
Undergraduates 10,560 students
Tuition $10,415
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