Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Iowa, Drake University and University of Northern Iowa award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Iowa: 42, 16 and 15 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Iowa colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 127 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program focuses on the visual and performing arts, providing students with a comprehensive education in various aspects of theatre production and performance. This program is ideal for individuals…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,225 | 42 | 75% | — | $26,622 |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,289 | 15 | 68% | — | $24,875 |
| 3 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $19,613 | 16 | 74% | $28,855 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Iowa
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 42 | $22,225 |
| 2 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 16 | $19,613 |
| 3 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 15 | $22,289 |
| 4 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 5 | Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 6 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Northwestern College Orange City Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Grand View University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Iowa colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharishi International University (Online) | Fairfield | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Waldorf University | Forest City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Central College | Pella | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Simpson College | Indianola | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Producers and Directors (SOC 27-2012).
Top skills
What Producers and Directors earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
University of Iowa (42 graduates a year), Drake University (16 graduates a year) and University of Northern Iowa (15 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Iowa colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Iowa tops the list at $22,225. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in Iowa is $64,710 (median $58,550), across about 720 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program?+
The Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program focuses on the visual and performing arts, providing students with a comprehensive education in various aspects of theatre production and performance. This program is ideal for individuals…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Producers and Directors?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 12,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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