Best institutions to study Directing and Theatrical Production
A program that prepares individuals to manage the planning, design, preparation, and production of plays and other theatrical entertainment programs.
35 U.S. institutions graduated 197 Directing and Theatrical Production students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0507, a specialization of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05), and leads most directly to the Producers and Directors occupation (BLS SOC 27-2012).
About Directing and Theatrical Production programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage the planning, design, preparation, and production of plays and other theatrical entertainment programs. Includes instruction in theatrical design, program management, dramatic production, rehearsal management, personnel management and casting, actor coaching, directing concepts and techniques, theater history, scene work, script interpretation, business management, marketing, public relations, and communications skills.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Directing and Theatrical Production program focuses on preparing individuals to manage the planning, design, and execution of theatrical productions. This program is ideal for those passionate about the arts and looking to develop their skills in directing, production management, and actor coaching.
Students will gain knowledge in theatrical design, rehearsal management, script interpretation, and business management. Coursework emphasizes critical skills such as active listening, speaking, and writing, along with an understanding of communications and media.
Credentials awarded
What Directing and Theatrical Production graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree101 graduates / yr · 20 institutions51%
- Master's degree69 graduates / yr · 16 institutions35%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 1 institution13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
Graduates over time
Directing and Theatrical Production completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 150 |
| 2013 | 149 |
| 2014 | 156 |
| 2015 | 187 |
| 2016 | 183 |
| 2017 | 194 |
| 2018 | 209 |
| 2019 | 240 |
| 2020 | 248 |
| 2021 | 209 |
| 2022 | 222 |
| 2023 | 201 |
| 2024 | 202 |
| 2025 | 197 |
Top 35 institutions for Directing and Theatrical Production, 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-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 40 | 60% | $29,994 | $16,659 |
| 2 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 75% | — | $25,070 |
| 3 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 59% | $23,704 | $23,147 |
| 4 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 77% | $40,982 | $19,560 |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 6 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 67% | $46,197 | — |
| 7 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 8 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 35% | $21,085 | $21,001 |
| 9 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 10 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 85% | — | $22,778 |
| 11 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicMaster's | 6 | 86% | — | $18,026 |
| 12 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 89% | $21,956 | $21,508 |
| 13 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 94% | $23,803 | $32,967 |
| 14 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 64% | $25,090 | $13,182 |
| 15 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 49% | $34,258 | $19,562 |
| 16 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 82% | — | $18,920 |
| 17 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 71% | $29,246 | — |
| 18 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 47% | $14,382 | — |
| 19 | Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 67% | $25,104 | $16,055 |
| 20 | Moravian University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 72% | $28,454 | — |
| 21 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 83% | $41,986 | — |
| 22 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 15% | — | — |
| 23 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster's | 2 | 65% | — | $15,602 |
| 24 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 2 | 75% | — | $19,269 |
| 25 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 80% | $35,682 | $20,267 |
| 26 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 86% | $25,823 | $21,221 |
| 27 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 67% | $42,045 | $22,673 |
| 28 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 54% | $28,311 | — |
| 29 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 68% | $28,141 | $22,021 |
| 30 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 95% | $14,799 | $19,245 |
| 31 | University of Evansville Evansville, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 64% | $19,593 | $23,407 |
| 32 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster's | 1 | 75% | — | $22,225 |
| 33 | Augsburg University Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 52% | $23,585 | — |
| 34 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 35 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 81% | $13,712 | $21,047 |
* 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 19 states
Where Directing and Theatrical Production graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3 | 48 | Pace University40 / yr |
| Ohio | 3 | 30 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus25 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 24 | Point Park University14 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 24 | Emerson College10 / yr |
| Illinois | 4 | 16 | University of Chicago7 / yr |
| Connecticut | 2 | 10 | Yale University9 / yr |
| California | 3 | 9 | University of California - San Diego6 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 7 | Rider University7 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus7 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 4 | Baylor University2 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 4 | Webster University4 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 4 | Belmont University4 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 3 | Gallaudet University3 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 2 | Bossier Parish Community College2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | University of Evansville1 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 1 | University of Iowa1 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | Augsburg University1 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 1 | Brown University1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | Brigham Young 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 this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 12,800 annual openings.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0507
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 |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Actors SOC 27-2011 | — | +0.3% Little or no change | ~6,300 | Some college, no degree |
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other SOC 27-2099 | — | +6.0% Faster than average | ~4,400 | No formal educational credential |
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 Directing and Theatrical Production 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 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 - Theatre and DanceCIP 50.051297 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Theatre LiteratureCIP 50.0505partial data36 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Comedy Writing and PerformanceCIP 50.0511limited data35 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Costume DesignCIP 50.051032 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in communication, critical thinking, and management.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a producer, director, or drama teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9%.
What is the CIP code for Directing and Theatrical Production?+
Directing and Theatrical Production is CIP 50.0507 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 prepares individuals to manage the planning, design, preparation, and production of plays and other theatrical entertainment programs. Includes instruction in theatrical design, program management, dramatic production, rehearsal management, personnel management and casting, actor coaching, directing concepts and techniques, theater history, scene work, script interpretation, business management, marketing, public relations, and communications skills.
How many institutions offer Directing and Theatrical Production programs?+
35 U.S. institutions reported Directing and Theatrical Production graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states, awarding 197 credentials in the year. That is 1.3% of all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.
How much do Directing and Theatrical Production graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Producers and Directors occupation, which Directing and Theatrical Production most directly leads to, pays a median of $90,360 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field report median earnings of $21,001 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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