Best institutions to study Theatre and Dance
A program of study that focuses on integrating the studies of dance and theatre arts to provide perspectives in all facets of production, performance, and critical engagement.
11 U.S. institutions graduated 97 Theatre and Dance students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0512, a specialization of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05), and leads most directly to the Dancers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2031).
About Theatre and Dance programs
A program of study that focuses on integrating the studies of dance and theatre arts to provide perspectives in all facets of production, performance, and critical engagement. Includes instruction in acting, aesthetics, choreography, costume design, criticism, dance, improvisation, music analysis, playwriting, theatre performance history, scene design, stage lighting, and technical theatre.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Theatre and Dance program, focusing on Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, offers students an integrated study of dance and theatre arts. This program is designed for individuals passionate about performance and production, providing a comprehensive understanding of various artistic disciplines. Students engage in critical thinking and creative expression through a diverse curriculum that encompasses acting, choreography, and technical theatre.
Participants in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework includes instruction in acting, aesthetics, choreography, costume design, and stage lighting, equipping students with a well-rounded foundation in the visual and performing arts.
Credentials awarded
What Theatre and Dance graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree76 graduates / yr · 10 institutions78%
- Master's degree21 graduates / yr · 2 institutions22%
Graduates over time
Theatre and Dance completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 91 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2024 | 119 |
| 2025 | 97 |
CIP 50.0512 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 11 institutions for Theatre and Dance, 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 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 39 | 89% | — | $33,261 |
| 2 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster's | 13 | 67% | — | $18,558 |
| 3 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, ILPublicBachelor's | 12 | 57% | — | $16,892 |
| 4 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 10 | 64% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor's | 10 | 59% | — | $26,053 |
| 6 | The College of Wooster Wooster, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 74% | $22,491 | — |
| 7 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicBachelor's | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 80% | $28,560 | — |
| 9 | Grinnell College Grinnell, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 88% | $14,470 | — |
| 10 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 60% | $17,205 | — |
| 11 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor's | 1 | 61% | — | — |
* 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 9 states
Where Theatre and Dance graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2 | 42 | The University of Texas at Austin39 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 13 | Rowan University13 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 12 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville12 / yr |
| Hawaii | 1 | 10 | University of Hawaii at Manoa10 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 10 | University of Wyoming10 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 7 | The College of Wooster5 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 1 | Grinnell College1 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 1 | William Carey University1 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 1 | University of Nevada - Reno1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2031, Dancers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Theatre and Dance program can pursue careers as dancers, producers, directors, and postsecondary teachers in art, drama, and music. The job outlook for related occupations is expected to grow at a rate of 4.5%, with approximately 1,800 annual openings. While formal educational credentials are not always required, a strong foundation in the arts is essential.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0512
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dancersprimary SOC 27-2031 | — | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~1,800 | 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 |
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other SOC 27-2099 | — | +6.0% Faster than average | ~4,400 | No formal educational credential |
Choreographers SOC 27-2032 | $55,310 | +6.1% Faster than average | ~700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Theatre and Dance 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
- Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
- Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
- Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
- Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
- Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
- Perform classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.
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 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 or a Master's degree in Theatre and Dance.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, speaking, and writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a dancer, producer, director, or teacher in the performing arts.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 4.5%.
What is the CIP code for Theatre and Dance?+
Theatre and Dance is CIP 50.0512 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 of study that focuses on integrating the studies of dance and theatre arts to provide perspectives in all facets of production, performance, and critical engagement. Includes instruction in acting, aesthetics, choreography, costume design, criticism, dance, improvisation, music analysis, playwriting, theatre performance history, scene design, stage lighting, and technical theatre.
How many institutions offer Theatre and Dance programs?+
11 U.S. institutions reported Theatre and Dance graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 97 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% 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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