Best institutions to study Musical Theatre
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production.
123 U.S. institutions graduated 1,212 Musical Theatre students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0509, a specialization of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05), and leads most directly to the Musicians and Singers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2042).
About Musical Theatre programs
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, musical genres, piano, and history of musical theater.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Musical Theatre program, part of the Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field, focuses on integrating theatre, music, and dance into cohesive productions. This program is designed for individuals passionate about performing arts and who aspire to develop their skills in acting, singing, and dancing. Students will engage in a variety of performance opportunities and learn the intricacies of stagecraft.
In this program, students acquire essential skills in speaking, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, and the history of musical theater, providing a comprehensive foundation for aspiring performers.
Credentials awarded
What Musical Theatre graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,161 graduates / yr · 108 institutions96%
- Associate's degree19 graduates / yr · 8 institutions1.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.7%
- Master's degree8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.7%
Graduates over time
Musical Theatre completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 404 |
| 2013 | 397 |
| 2014 | 480 |
| 2015 | 533 |
| 2016 | 632 |
| 2017 | 736 |
| 2018 | 660 |
| 2019 | 749 |
| 2020 | 928 |
| 2021 | 982 |
| 2022 | 1,189 |
| 2023 | 1,234 |
| 2024 | 1,149 |
| 2025 | 1,212 |
Top 50 institutions for Musical Theatre, 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 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 144 | 72% | $40,932 | $17,382 |
| 2 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 69 | 67% | $46,197 | — |
| 3 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 53 | 49% | $34,258 | $19,562 |
| 4 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 46 | 35% | $21,085 | $21,001 |
| 5 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 75% | — | $19,269 |
| 6 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 32 | 52% | $28,087 | $17,929 |
| 7 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 31 | 69% | $54,185 | $17,113 |
| 8 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 28 | 84% | $28,851 | $20,988 |
| 9 | Manhattan School of Music New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 78% | $53,742 | $29,400 |
| 10 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 60% | $29,994 | $16,659 |
| 11 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NYPublicBachelor's | 23 | 63% | — | $18,090 |
| 12 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 64% | $33,070 | $17,196 |
| 13 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 21 | 93% | — | $17,577 |
| 14 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 76% | $28,970 | $18,243 |
| 15 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 67% | $27,455 | $17,818 |
| 16 | Stephens College Columbia, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 43% | $23,198 | $16,476 |
| 17 | SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, NYPublicBachelor's | 17 | 50% | — | $20,453 |
| 18 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 17 | 64% | — | $24,565 |
| 19 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 65% | — | $15,602 |
| 20 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 37% | — | $17,272 |
| 21 | Millikin University Decatur, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 55% | $8,373 | $24,013 |
| 22 | Viterbo University La Crosse, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 68% | $20,655 | $19,930 |
| 23 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 75% | $30,225 | $23,979 |
| 24 | Elon University Elon, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 84% | $33,688 | $24,345 |
| 25 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 14 | 58% | — | $21,585 |
| 26 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 14 | 55% | — | $26,045 |
| 27 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 86% | $25,823 | $21,221 |
| 28 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicBachelor's | 12 | 51% | — | $24,761 |
| 29 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 77% | $40,982 | $19,560 |
| 30 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 64% | $25,090 | $13,182 |
| 31 | Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 66% | $22,225 | $23,649 |
| 32 | Manhattanville University Purchase, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 58% | $23,949 | — |
| 33 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 59% | $23,704 | $23,147 |
| 34 | Anderson University Anderson, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 66% | $24,812 | $21,767 |
| 35 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 11 | 87% | — | $20,461 |
| 36 | Florida Southern College Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 71% | $28,325 | $22,336 |
| 37 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 11 | 58% | — | $15,579 |
| 38 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicBachelor's | 10 | 64% | — | $26,670 |
| 39 | Samford University Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 77% | $28,160 | — |
| 40 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 10 | 68% | — | $26,048 |
| 41 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor's | 10 | 80% | — | $20,815 |
| 42 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 59% | $22,906 | — |
| 43 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 76% | — | $20,538 |
| 44 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,473 |
| 45 | Xavier University Cincinnati, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 69% | $31,119 | — |
| 46 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor's | 9 | 75% | — | $26,753 |
| 47 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 72% | $24,309 | — |
| 48 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 9 | 55% | — | $21,858 |
| 49 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 63% | — | — |
| 50 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 90% | — | $20,762 |
* 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 36 states
Where Musical Theatre graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2042, Musicians and Singers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Musical Theatre program can pursue careers as musicians and singers, with an annual job outlook of approximately 19,400 openings. While the growth rate is projected at 1.1%, many positions in this field do not require formal educational credentials, making it accessible for passionate performers.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0509
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Musicians and Singersprimary SOC 27-2042 | — | +1.1% Little or no change | ~19,400 | No formal educational credential |
Producers and Directors 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 |
Music Directors and Composers SOC 27-2041 | $73,710 | -0.3% Little or no change | ~4,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Dancers SOC 27-2031 | — | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~1,800 | No formal educational credential |
Choreographers SOC 27-2032 | $55,310 | +6.1% Faster than average | ~700 | 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 Musical Theatre 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
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
- Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
- Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
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 - 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, an Associate's degree, or shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and performance.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a musician, singer, or in various roles within the performing arts.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 19,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Musical Theatre?+
Musical Theatre is CIP 50.0509 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 principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, musical genres, piano, and history of musical theater.
How many institutions offer Musical Theatre programs?+
123 U.S. institutions reported Musical Theatre graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states, awarding 1,212 credentials in the year. That is 7.7% 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card