Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Missouri State University - Springfield, Stephens College and Webster University are the top bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. Missouri State University - Springfield leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $22,369, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield, Stephens College and Webster University award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Missouri: 70, 41 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Missouri colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 246 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 5 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 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,369 | 70 | 58% | — | $25,250 |
| 2 | Stephens College Columbia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $16,476 | 41 | 43% | $23,198 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Webster University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $13,182 | 36 | 64% | $25,090 | $26,000 |
| 4 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,083 | 7 | 49% | $17,436 | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $18,403 | 11 | 54% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Missouri
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 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 70 | $22,369 |
| 2 | Stephens College Columbia Private not-for-profit | 41 | $16,476 |
| 3 | Webster University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 36 | $13,182 |
| 4 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public | 11 | $18,403 |
| 7 | Avila University Kansas City Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 8 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit | 7 | $25,083 |
| 9 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | Truman State University Kirksville Public | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 11 Missouri colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville | Public | 5 |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | Public | 4 |
| College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Cottey College | Nevada | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Missouri Baptist University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| William Jewell College | Liberty | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Culver-Stockton College | Canton | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | Hannibal | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Louis University | Saint Louis | 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 Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
Missouri State University - Springfield (70 graduates a year), Stephens College (41 graduates a year) and Webster University (36 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Missouri colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
What is the best college for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, Missouri State University - Springfield leads among bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $22,369, College Scorecard. Stephens College and Webster University follow. By degrees awarded, Missouri State University - Springfield is the largest, with 70 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Missouri State University - Springfield tops the list at $22,369. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in Missouri is $78,870 (median $66,460), across about 1,630 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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