Best institutions to study Comedy Writing and Performance
A program that focuses on the historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of comedy as an art form, and the writing, performance, and production of comedy.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 35 Comedy Writing and Performance students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0511, a specialization of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05), and leads most directly to the Actors occupation (BLS SOC 27-2011).
About Comedy Writing and Performance programs
A program that focuses on the historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of comedy as an art form, and the writing, performance, and production of comedy. Includes instruction in comedic storytelling, comedy production, comedy writing, history of comedy, improvisation, and sketch writing.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Comedy Writing and Performance program is a specialized track within the Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field, focusing on the art of comedy. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the historical, cultural, and theoretical aspects of comedy, as well as honing their skills in writing, performing, and producing comedic works. It is ideal for those passionate about storytelling and entertainment through humor.
Students in this program will develop core skills in speaking, writing, and critical thinking, while gaining knowledge in fine arts, communications, and psychology. Coursework includes comedic storytelling, improvisation, sketch writing, and the history of comedy, preparing graduates for various roles in the entertainment industry.
Credentials awarded
What Comedy Writing and Performance graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree35 graduates / yr · 2 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Comedy Writing and Performance completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 35 |
CIP 50.0511 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 2 institutions for Comedy Writing and Performance, 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 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 52% | $28,087 | $17,929 |
| 2 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 68% | $28,141 | $22,021 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field (CIP 50.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 1 states
Where Comedy Writing and Performance graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 2 | 35 | Columbia College Chicago24 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2011, Actors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Comedy Writing and Performance program can pursue careers as actors, writers, and postsecondary educators in the arts. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 6,300 annual openings in related fields. A typical education level for these roles is some college, though many positions may not require a degree.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0511
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Actorsprimary SOC 27-2011 | — | +0.3% Little or no change | ~6,300 | Some college, no degree |
Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | 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 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Comedy Writing and Performance 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
- Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
- Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
- Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
- Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
- Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
- Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
Tools and technology used
Other Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05).
- Drama and Dramatics/CIP 50.0501
Theatre Arts 9,838 graduates / yr813 institutions - ActingCIP 50.05061,706 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Technical Theatre/CIP 50.0502
Theatre Design and Technology 1,232 graduates / yr158 institutions - Musical TheatreCIP 50.05091,212 graduates / yr123 institutions
- Playwriting and ScreenwritingCIP 50.0504889 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Dramatic/CIP 50.0599
Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 404 graduates / yr45 institutions - Directing and Theatrical ProductionCIP 50.0507197 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Theatre and DanceCIP 50.051297 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Theatre LiteratureCIP 50.0505partial data36 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Costume DesignCIP 50.051032 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You will earn a Bachelor's degree upon completion.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
Currently, there are 2 colleges offering this program.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an actor, writer, or drama teacher, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Comedy Writing and Performance?+
Comedy Writing and Performance is CIP 50.0511 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of comedy as an art form, and the writing, performance, and production of comedy. Includes instruction in comedic storytelling, comedy production, comedy writing, history of comedy, improvisation, and sketch writing.
How many institutions offer Comedy Writing and Performance programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Comedy Writing and Performance graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 35 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.
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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