Best institutions to study Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance.
813 U.S. institutions graduated 9,838 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0501, 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 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts programs
A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts program focuses on the study of dramatic works and their performance. It encompasses instruction in major works of dramatic literature, various dramatic styles, and the principles of organizing and producing live or filmed productions. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about the performing arts and those looking to develop their skills in theatre production and performance.
Students in this program acquire essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes topics related to communications and media, performance techniques, and production management, preparing graduates for various roles in the theatre and entertainment industry.
Credentials awarded
What Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree7,357 graduates / yr · 645 institutions75%
- Associate's degree1,121 graduates / yr · 161 institutions11%
- Master's degree783 graduates / yr · 88 institutions8.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years273 graduates / yr · 5 institutions2.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year203 graduates / yr · 23 institutions2.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship67 graduates / yr · 24 institutions0.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 11,268 |
| 2013 | 11,260 |
| 2014 | 11,200 |
| 2015 | 10,712 |
| 2016 | 10,610 |
| 2017 | 10,669 |
| 2018 | 10,704 |
| 2019 | 11,111 |
| 2020 | 10,911 |
| 2021 | 10,720 |
| 2022 | 10,676 |
| 2023 | 10,322 |
| 2024 | 10,178 |
| 2025 | 9,838 |
Top 50 institutions for Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, 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 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 424 | 88% | $29,023 | $20,916 |
| 2 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 221 | 72% | $40,932 | $17,382 |
| 3 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 184 | 55% | — | $26,045 |
| 4 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 122 | 95% | $14,799 | $19,245 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 104 | 78% | — | $23,708 |
| 6 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 97 | 70% | — | $18,182 |
| 7 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 97 | 69% | $44,902 | $20,532 |
| 8 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 91 | 87% | — | $20,461 |
| 9 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 85 | 45% | — | $23,896 |
| 10 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 81 | 93% | — | $19,673 |
| 11 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 80 | 86% | — | $18,431 |
| 12 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 74 | 69% | — | $19,231 |
| 13 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 69 | 57% | — | $19,880 |
| 14 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 68 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 15 | Muhlenberg College Allentown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 66 | 82% | $23,111 | $17,150 |
| 16 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 64 | 61% | — | $28,236 |
| 17 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 64 | 63% | — | $22,447 |
| 18 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 63 | 79% | $36,488 | $21,869 |
| 19 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 65% | — | $28,958 |
| 20 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 61 | 86% | — | $18,026 |
| 21 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 60 | 65% | — | $18,474 |
| 22 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor's | 57 | 57% | — | $17,524 |
| 23 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 57 | 57% | $24,639 | $18,671 |
| 24 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 57 | 56% | — | $18,154 |
| 25 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 55 | 54% | — | $20,645 |
| 26 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 55 | 80% | — | $24,306 |
| 27 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 54 | 62% | — | $23,748 |
| 28 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 53 | 65% | — | $20,701 |
| 29 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 49% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 51 | 91% | — | $16,318 |
| 31 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 51 | 77% | $40,982 | $19,560 |
| 32 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 58% | — | $22,369 |
| 33 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 31% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 50 | 85% | — | $22,159 |
| 35 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 50 | 94% | $23,803 | $32,967 |
| 36 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 44% | — | — |
| 37 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 49 | 76% | — | $20,538 |
| 38 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 49 | 84% | — | $24,770 |
| 39 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 46 | 52% | — | $21,556 |
| 40 | University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PRPublicBachelor's | 45 | 50% | — | $7,652 |
| 41 | University of New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 38% | — | $21,504 |
| 42 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 69% | $54,185 | $17,113 |
| 43 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 68% | — | $25,301 |
| 44 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 42 | 51% | — | $24,761 |
| 45 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 85% | — | $19,982 |
| 46 | Southern Oregon University Ashland, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 42 | 43% | — | $20,668 |
| 47 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 41 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,473 |
| 48 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 40 | 82% | $38,931 | $14,133 |
| 49 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAssociate's | 39 | 41% | — | — |
| 50 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 39 | 65% | — | — |
* 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 51 states & territories
Where Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2012, Producers and Directors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts program can pursue careers as producers and directors, postsecondary drama teachers, and actors. The job outlook for these roles is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 4.9% and approximately 12,800 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $83,480, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0501
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 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts 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).
- 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
- 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, Associate's degree, or a Master's degree in Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and production management.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Possible careers include producers, directors, postsecondary teachers, and actors.
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 around 12,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts?+
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts is CIP 50.0501 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 general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.
How many institutions offer Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts programs?+
813 U.S. institutions reported Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 9,838 credentials in the year. That is 62.8% of all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.
How much do Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Producers and Directors occupation, which Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts 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 $20,937 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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