25 Best Professional Theatre & Drama Universities in the USA

Compare 25 programs at 25 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 25 Universities 25 Scholarships 0

25 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1881

US #15 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $25,097/yr
Admission rate: 52%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 19,835

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1884

US #32 QS World #631 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $28,198/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $63,727
Students: 20,970

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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1787

US #45 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,434/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $66,125
Students: 20,370

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Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, New York · Private University · Est. 1754

US #58 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $21,590/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $102,491
Students: 8,973

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University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1952

US #66 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,798/yr
Admission rate: 83%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 2,432

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Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1869

US #68 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,402/yr
Admission rate: 11%
Earnings (10yr): $83,238
Students: 18,248

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University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 2017

US #71 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,403/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 1,525

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University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, Connecticut · Public University

US #73 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $10,875/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 733

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Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1636

US #74 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $19,066/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $101,817
Students: 7,601

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University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1967

US #78 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $13,807/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 454

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Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut · Private University · Est. 1701

US #89 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $23,777/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $100,533
Students: 6,758

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Western Oregon University

Monmouth, Oregon · Public University · Est. 1856

US #101 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,237/yr
Admission rate: 98%
Earnings (10yr): $51,815
Students: 3,103

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Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1842

US #105 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $43,756/yr
Admission rate: 27%
Earnings (10yr): $100,423
Students: 6,938

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Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, Missouri · Public University · Est. 1905

US #125 ROI D Admissions open

Net price: $17,613/yr
Admission rate: 91%
Earnings (10yr): $49,827
Students: 13,313

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San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California · Public University · Est. 1899

US #155 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $12,278/yr
Admission rate: 96%
Earnings (10yr): $68,077
Students: 18,639

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Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas · Public University · Est. 1899

US #184 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,805/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $56,906
Students: 36,177

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University of Southern Maine

Portland, Maine · Public University · Est. 1878

US #214 ROI D Admissions open

Net price: $13,596/yr
Admission rate: 79%
Earnings (10yr): $49,958
Students: 4,222

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Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia · Public University · Est. 1963

US #218 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $15,048/yr
Admission rate: 69%
Earnings (10yr): $57,552
Students: 41,254

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Montclair State University

Montclair, New Jersey · Public University · Est. 1908

US #226 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $15,566/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $61,415
Students: 18,376

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York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1787

US #426 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $18,556/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $61,012
Students: 3,265

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Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California · Private University · Est. 1925

US #482 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $21,413/yr
Admission rate: 73%
Earnings (10yr): $72,379
Students: 1,719

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University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama · Public University · Est. 1830

US #496 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $12,170/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $45,415
Students: 5,811

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Universidad del Sagrado Corazon

Santurce, Puerto Rico · Private University · Est. 1880

US #724 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $12,924/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $31,754
Students: 4,442

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SUNY at Purchase College

Purchase, New York · Public University · Est. 1967

US #977 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $18,913/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $45,092
Students: 3,197

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What this subject pays

Graduates of Theatre & Drama programmes report a median $22,937 two years after finishing, across 346 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $25,000.

Theatre & Drama pay by degree level →

Theatre & Drama at other levels

Associate's Theatre & Drama Bachelor's Theatre & Drama Diploma Theatre & Drama Master's Theatre & Drama PhD Theatre & Drama

Related subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for professional Theatre & Drama universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include University of Connecticut, Temple University, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study professional Theatre & Drama universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying professional Theatre & Drama universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About professional Theatre & Drama universities in the USA

This page lists professional Theatre & Drama universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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