Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Michigan University, Wayne State University and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor are the top bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Michigan by graduate earnings. Western Michigan University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,585, College Scorecard. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Western Michigan University and Wayne State University award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Michigan: 56, 41 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Michigan colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 274 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 6 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 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,585 | 41 | 58% | — | $26,950 |
| 2 | Wayne State University Detroit Public · Bachelor's degree | $18,750 | 36 | 58% | — | $24,847 |
| 3 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public · Bachelor's degree | $17,577 | 56 | 93% | — | $20,798 |
| 4 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree | $17,328 | 33 | 81% | — | $22,250 |
| 5 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public · Bachelor's degree | $15,579 | 23 | 58% | — | $26,678 |
| 6 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $17,962 | 11 | 59% | — | $28,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Michigan
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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 56 | $17,577 |
| 2 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public | 41 | $21,585 |
| 3 | Wayne State University Detroit Public | 36 | $18,750 |
| 4 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 33 | $17,328 |
| 5 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public | 23 | $15,579 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 7 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public | 11 | $17,962 |
| 8 | Siena Heights University Adrian Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Michigan colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Hope College | Holland | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Kalamazoo College | Kalamazoo | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | Public | 3 |
| Adrian College | Adrian | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing | Public | 2 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Flint | Public | 2 |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills | Public | 2 |
| Albion College | Albion | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Alma College | Alma | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Madonna University | Livonia | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Michigan Technological University | Houghton | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Producers and Directors (SOC 27-2012).
Top skills
What Producers and Directors earn in Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (56 graduates a year), Western Michigan University (41 graduates a year) and Wayne State University (36 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Michigan colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
What is the best college for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Michigan?+
By graduate earnings, Western Michigan University leads among bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Michigan, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,585, College Scorecard. Wayne State University and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor follow. By degrees awarded, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the largest, with 56 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Michigan University tops the list at $21,585. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in Michigan is $79,620 (median $65,720), across about 2,310 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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