Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Elon University, East Carolina University and University of North Carolina School of the Arts are the top bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. Elon University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,345, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina School of the Arts, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Elon University award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in North Carolina: 109, 57 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 27 North Carolina colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 419 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 10 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 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,345 | 33 | 84% | $33,688 | — |
| 2 | East Carolina University Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,295 | 29 | 63% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,229 | 109 | 78% | — | $24,592 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,450 | 26 | 71% | — | $25,000 |
| 5 | Appalachian State University Boone Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,256 | 31 | 75% | — | $24,755 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $18,154 | 57 | 56% | — | $25,914 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree | $18,052 | 30 | 69% | — | $26,000 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,457 | 18 | 91% | — | $15,613 |
| 9 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $21,824 | 17 | 60% | — | $26,000 |
| 10 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $20,996 | 13 | 57% | — | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in North Carolina
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 North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem Public | 109 | $21,229 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public | 57 | $18,154 |
| 3 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit | 33 | $24,345 |
| 4 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 31 | $20,256 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 30 | $18,052 |
| 6 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 29 | $21,295 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 26 | $20,450 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 18 | $26,457 |
| 9 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 17 | $21,824 |
| 10 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public | 13 | $20,996 |
ShowHide the other 17 North Carolina colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba College | Salisbury | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Meredith College | Raleigh | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Greensboro College | Greensboro | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| High Point University | High Point | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke | Public | 5 |
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville | Public | 4 |
| Mars Hill University | Mars Hill | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Davidson College | Davidson | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of North Carolina Asheville | Asheville | Public | 3 |
| North Carolina Wesleyan University | Rocky Mount | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Brevard College | Brevard | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Duke University | Durham | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Lees-McRae College | Banner Elk | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Saint Augustine's University | Raleigh | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | 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 North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (109 graduates a year), University of North Carolina at Greensboro (57 graduates a year) and Elon University (33 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 27 North Carolina colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
What is the best college for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, Elon University leads among bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,345, College Scorecard. East Carolina University and University of North Carolina School of the Arts follow. By degrees awarded, University of North Carolina School of the Arts is the largest, with 109 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Elon University tops the list at $24,345. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in North Carolina is $75,170 (median $63,700), across about 3,500 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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