Best institutions to study Theatre/Theatre Arts Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply business management principles to the management of theatres and production corporations.
23 U.S. institutions graduated 216 Theatre/Theatre Arts Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.1004, a specialization of Arts (CIP 50.10), and leads most directly to the Producers and Directors occupation (BLS SOC 27-2012).
About Theatre/Theatre Arts Management programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply business management principles to the management of theatres and production corporations. Includes instruction in theatrical production, theatre design and planning, fund-raising and promotion, investment strategies, human resources management, theatre operations management, marketing, public relations, financial management and insurance, and applicable laws and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Theatre/Theatre Arts Management program prepares students to integrate business management principles within the performing arts sector. This program is ideal for individuals who are passionate about theatre and seek to develop the skills necessary to manage production companies and theatres effectively. Students will gain insights into various aspects of theatre operations, from production to marketing.
Core coursework covers a range of essential skills, including theatrical production, theatre design, fund-raising, marketing, and financial management. Students will also develop competencies in communication, critical thinking, and active learning, which are vital for success in the arts management field.
Credentials awarded
What Theatre/Theatre Arts Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree148 graduates / yr · 16 institutions69%
- Master's degree67 graduates / yr · 8 institutions31%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 138 |
| 2013 | 112 |
| 2014 | 182 |
| 2015 | 214 |
| 2016 | 203 |
| 2017 | 249 |
| 2018 | 230 |
| 2019 | 260 |
| 2020 | 235 |
| 2021 | 256 |
| 2022 | 239 |
| 2023 | 220 |
| 2024 | 217 |
| 2025 | 216 |
Top 23 institutions for Theatre/Theatre Arts Management, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 60% | $29,994 | $35,948 |
| 2 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 70% | $48,194 | $17,095 |
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 4 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 5 | Centenary University Hackettstown, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 56% | $17,490 | — |
| 6 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicMaster's | 7 | 52% | — | — |
| 7 | Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 32% | $21,036 | — |
| 8 | Berry College Mount Berry, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 69% | $20,108 | — |
| 9 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor's | 3 | 65% | — | — |
| 10 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicMaster's | 2 | 69% | — | — |
| 11 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 67% | $42,045 | — |
| 12 | University of Redlands Redlands, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 67% | $22,706 | — |
| 13 | University of Evansville Evansville, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 64% | $19,593 | — |
| 14 | Adrian College Adrian, MIPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 2 | 48% | $20,357 | — |
| 15 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 76% | $28,970 | — |
| 16 | Wagner College Staten Island, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 65% | $27,316 | $29,010 |
| 17 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor's | 2 | 50% | — | $16,023 |
| 18 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
| 19 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster's | 1 | 46% | — | — |
| 20 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 61% | $23,331 | — |
| 21 | Catawba College Salisbury, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 47% | $17,916 | — |
| 22 | William Peace University Raleigh, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 45% | $23,108 | — |
| 23 | Seton Hill University Greensburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 67% | $19,887 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Arts field (CIP 50.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 13 states
Where Theatre/Theatre Arts Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Arts programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3 | 89 | Pace University85 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 42 | Howard University42 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 31 | Carnegie Mellon University30 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 10 | University of Akron Main Campus7 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 9 | Yale University9 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 9 | Centenary University9 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 7 | Texas Wesleyan University5 / yr |
| California | 3 | 6 | California State University - Long Beach2 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 4 | Berry College4 / yr |
| North Carolina | 3 | 3 | Campbell University1 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 3 | Adrian College2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 2 | University of Evansville2 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | DePaul University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2012, Producers and Directors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Producers and Directors, with a median wage of $83,480. The job outlook for related occupations is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 12,800 annual openings. A Bachelor's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.1004
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Producers and Directorsprimary SOC 27-2012 | $90,360 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~12,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Theatre/Theatre Arts Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
- Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
- Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
- Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
- Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
- Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
Tools and technology used
Other Arts specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Arts (CIP 50.10).
- Music ManagementCIP 50.10031,935 graduates / yr107 institutions
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementCIP 50.10011,040 graduates / yr70 institutions
- Fine and Studio Arts ManagementCIP 50.1002937 graduates / yr62 institutions
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementCIP 50.1099512 graduates / yr15 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or an Associate's degree in Theatre/Theatre Arts Management.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and management.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Producer, Director, or in other management roles within the arts.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9% and 12,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Theatre/Theatre Arts Management?+
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management is CIP 50.1004 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Arts (CIP 50.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply business management principles to the management of theatres and production corporations. Includes instruction in theatrical production, theatre design and planning, fund-raising and promotion, investment strategies, human resources management, theatre operations management, marketing, public relations, financial management and insurance, and applicable laws and regulations.
How many institutions offer Theatre/Theatre Arts Management programs?+
23 U.S. institutions reported Theatre/Theatre Arts Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states, awarding 216 credentials in the year. That is 4.7% of all Arts graduates.
How much do Theatre/Theatre Arts Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Producers and Directors occupation, which Theatre/Theatre Arts Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $90,360 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Arts field report median earnings of $29,010 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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