Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft by graduate earnings are University of Notre Dame ($37,531), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) and The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN): $37,531, 31 graduates a year
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA): $36,557, 23 graduates a year
- The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX): $33,261, 89 graduates a year
- Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA): $32,967, 68 graduates a year
- University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO): $32,142, 34 graduates a year
Compare 945 U.S. colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $20,818 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 50.05 and the Producers and Directors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs
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 passionate about storytelling, acting, directing, and technical production, offering a blend of creative and practical skills.
Students in this program will develop core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers a range of topics, including acting, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre design, equipping graduates with a solid foundation for a career in the performing arts.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,531 | 31 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,557 | 23 | 86% | — | $24,637 |
| 3 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,261 | 89 | 89% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,967 | 68 | 94% | $23,803 | $25,000 |
| 5 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,142 | 34 | 74% | — | — |
| 6 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,945 | 35 | 53% | — | $26,000 |
| 7 | Manhattan School of Music New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,400 | 23 | 78% | $53,742 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,958 | 62 | 65% | — | $24,246 |
| 9 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,933 | 33 | 69% | — | $26,500 |
| 10 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,236 | 64 | 61% | — | $25,000 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,886 | 37 | 86% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,335 | 25 | 61% | — | $19,284 |
| 13 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,753 | 31 | 75% | — | $21,000 |
| 14 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,751 | 27 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 15 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,670 | 22 | 64% | — | $25,250 |
| 16 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,474 | 31 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 17 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,048 | 35 | 68% | — | $23,725 |
| 18 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,045 | 198 | 55% | — | $21,500 |
| 19 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,810 | 22 | 75% | — | $26,637 |
| 20 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,754 | 23 | 69% | $19,944 | $24,125 |
| 21 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,301 | 42 | 68% | — | $19,606 |
| 22 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,070 | 107 | 75% | — | $25,980 |
| 23 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,059 | 31 | 57% | — | — |
| 24 | Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,050 | 21 | 40% | — | $22,658 |
| 25 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,036 | 23 | 55% | — | $22,328 |
Specializations within Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
11 of the 11 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 50.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Drama and Dramatics/CIP 50.0501
Theatre Arts 9,838 graduates / yr813 institutions51 states - ActingCIP 50.05061,706 graduates / yr111 institutions37 states
- Technical Theatre/CIP 50.0502
Theatre Design and Technology 1,232 graduates / yr158 institutions37 states - Musical TheatreCIP 50.05091,212 graduates / yr123 institutions36 states
- Playwriting and ScreenwritingCIP 50.0504889 graduates / yr52 institutions21 states
- Dramatic/CIP 50.0599
Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 404 graduates / yr45 institutions22 states - Directing and Theatrical ProductionCIP 50.0507197 graduates / yr35 institutions19 states
- Theatre and DanceCIP 50.0512New in CIP 202097 graduates / yr11 institutions9 states
- Theatre LiteratureCIP 50.0505partial data36 graduates / yr7 institutions5 states
- Comedy Writing and PerformanceCIP 50.0511New in CIP 2020limited data35 graduates / yr2 institutions1 states
- Costume DesignCIP 50.051032 graduates / yr11 institutions9 states
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2012, Producers and Directors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program can pursue various careers in the performing arts sector, with a projected job growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 12,800 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $83,480, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 50.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 50.05 (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft) maps to 12 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-1022 | Fashion Designers |
| 27-1027 | Set and Exhibit Designers |
| 27-2011 | Actors |
| 27-2012 | Producers and Directorsprimary |
| 27-2031 | Dancers |
| 27-2032 | Choreographers |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers |
| 27-2042 | Musicians and Singers |
| 27-2099 | Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other |
| 27-3043 | Writers and Authors |
| 39-3092 | Costume Attendants |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Technical Theatre, Musical Theatre, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and writing.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9%.
What level of education is typically required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
How much do Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn?+
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $20,818, College Scorecard (2019); the Producers and Directors occupation pays about $113,300 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft?+
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft maps to CIP 50.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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