Best institutions to study Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Any instructional program in dramatic/theatre arts and stagecraft not listed above.
45 U.S. institutions graduated 404 Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0599, 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 Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs
Any instructional program in dramatic/theatre arts and stagecraft not listed above.
See also: 51.2315 - Drama Therapy/Therapist.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program offers students a comprehensive education in the visual and performing arts, focusing on the various aspects of theatre production. This program is designed for individuals passionate about drama, stagecraft, and the performing arts, providing them with the skills needed to excel in a creative environment.
Students in this program develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often covers topics in communications, media, and the technical aspects of theatre production, equipping graduates with a well-rounded understanding of both performance and stage management.
Credentials awarded
What Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree200 graduates / yr · 32 institutions50%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years95 graduates / yr · 3 institutions24%
- Master's degree40 graduates / yr · 4 institutions9.9%
- Associate's degree35 graduates / yr · 4 institutions8.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year27 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 684 |
| 2013 | 825 |
| 2014 | 787 |
| 2015 | 890 |
| 2016 | 891 |
| 2017 | 988 |
| 2018 | 1,203 |
| 2019 | 1,069 |
| 2020 | 1,249 |
| 2021 | 851 |
| 2022 | 468 |
| 2023 | 458 |
| 2024 | 426 |
| 2025 | 404 |
Top 45 institutions for Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, 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 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 81 | 44% | $32,163 | $20,226 |
| 2 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 63 | 72% | $40,932 | $17,382 |
| 3 | Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater New York City, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 30 | 44% | $33,096 | $10,492 |
| 4 | American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 96% | $54,325 | $12,445 |
| 5 | Mary Baldwin University Staunton, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 39% | $18,500 | — |
| 6 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor's | 19 | 56% | — | $22,884 |
| 7 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 77% | $40,982 | $19,560 |
| 8 | Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Santurce, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 52% | $15,525 | — |
| 9 | Drake University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 74% | $28,855 | $19,613 |
| 10 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 49% | $13,112 | — |
| 11 | National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 8 | 33% | — | — |
| 12 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicMaster's | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 13 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 64% | $25,090 | $13,182 |
| 14 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 94% | $23,803 | $32,967 |
| 15 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 83% | $41,986 | — |
| 16 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster's | 5 | 80% | — | $20,815 |
| 17 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 15% | — | — |
| 18 | Macalester College Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 87% | $21,441 | — |
| 19 | Southern Virginia University Buena Vista, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 33% | $23,606 | — |
| 20 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,473 |
| 21 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 22% | — | — |
| 22 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 49% | $17,436 | $25,083 |
| 23 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 84% | $28,851 | $20,988 |
| 24 | Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NCPublicBachelor's | 4 | 38% | — | — |
| 25 | Lee University Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 63% | $18,918 | — |
| 26 | Adams State University Alamosa, COPublicBachelor's | 3 | 39% | — | — |
| 27 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicBachelor's | 3 | 62% | — | $27,004 |
| 28 | Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Norton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 73% | $26,445 | — |
| 29 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 58% | — | $21,585 |
| 30 | Elon University Elon, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 84% | $33,688 | $24,345 |
| 31 | Seton Hill University Greensburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 67% | $19,887 | $21,239 |
| 32 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 86% | — | $19,398 |
| 33 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MIPublicAssociate's | 2 | 21% | — | — |
| 34 | Hastings College Hastings, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 49% | $20,424 | — |
| 35 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 45% | $18,986 | — |
| 36 | University of Evansville Evansville, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 64% | $19,593 | $23,407 |
| 37 | Indiana University - South Bend South Bend, INPublicBachelor's | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Michigan - Flint Flint, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 39 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 49% | $34,258 | $19,562 |
| 40 | Gardner - Webb University Boiling Springs, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 55% | $22,863 | — |
| 41 | Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 25% | $18,701 | — |
| 42 | Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 52% | $23,214 | — |
| 43 | Lycoming College Williamsport, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 60% | $17,924 | — |
| 44 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 75% | — | $19,269 |
| 45 | Carthage College Kenosha, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 64% | $22,844 | $28,727 |
* 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 22 states & territories
Where Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 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 Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program can pursue various careers, including producers and directors, postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers, and actors. The job outlook in this field is about as fast as average, with a projected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 12,800 annual openings. A bachelor's degree is typically required, with a median wage of $83,480.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0599
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 |
Costume Attendants SOC 39-3092 | $50,400 | +5.9% Faster than average | ~1,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
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 Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 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
- 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, an associate's degree, or an award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and more.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Potential careers include producers, directors, actors, and postsecondary teachers.
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 about 12,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft?+
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft is CIP 50.0599 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: Any instructional program in dramatic/theatre arts and stagecraft not listed above.
How many institutions offer Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs?+
45 U.S. institutions reported Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states & territories, awarding 404 credentials in the year. That is 2.6% of all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.
How much do Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Producers and Directors occupation, which Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 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 $20,988 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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