Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Emerson College, Berklee College of Music and Boston University award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Massachusetts: 132, 77 and 75 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 36 Massachusetts colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 462 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 4 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 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $21,508 | 75 | 89% | $21,956 | $26,958 |
| 2 | Emerson College Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,560 | 132 | 77% | $40,982 | $25,000 |
| 3 | Dean College Franklin Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,639 | 14 | 54% | $28,874 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Suffolk University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,189 | 12 | 61% | $28,895 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Massachusetts
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 | Emerson College Boston Private not-for-profit | 132 | $19,560 |
| 2 | Berklee College of Music Boston Private not-for-profit | 77 | Not reported |
| 3 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 75 | $21,508 |
| 4 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 5 | Salem State University Salem Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 6 | Dean College Franklin Private not-for-profit | 14 | $29,639 |
| 7 | Suffolk University Boston Private not-for-profit | 12 | $23,189 |
| 8 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 10 | Brandeis University Waltham Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 26 Massachusetts colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith College | Northampton | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Hampshire College | Amherst | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Northeastern University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg | Public | 6 |
| Holyoke Community College | Holyoke | Public | 5 |
| Merrimack College | North Andover | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Bristol Community College | Fall River | Public | 4 |
| College of the Holy Cross | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Emmanuel College | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Massasoit Community College | Brockton | Public | 3 |
| Wellesley College | Wellesley | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Cape Cod Community College | West Barnstable | Public | 2 |
| Gordon College | Wenham | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner | Public | 2 |
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | North Adams | Public | 2 |
| Tufts University | Medford | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Westfield State University | Westfield | Public | 2 |
| Worcester State University | Worcester | Public | 2 |
| Amherst College | Amherst | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Berkshire Community College | Pittsfield | Public | 1 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | Public | 1 |
| Clark University | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge | 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 Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
Emerson College (132 graduates a year), Berklee College of Music (77 graduates a year) and Boston University (75 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 36 Massachusetts colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Boston University tops the list at $21,508. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in Massachusetts is $94,850 (median $80,970), across about 3,440 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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