Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Memphis, Belmont University and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Tennessee: 29, 28 and 26 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Tennessee colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 179 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program focuses on the visual and performing arts, providing students with a comprehensive education in various aspects of theatre production and performance. This program is ideal for individuals…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,189 | 26 | 74% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Memphis Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,055 | 29 | 51% | — | $22,875 |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $17,860 | 17 | 54% | — | $19,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 29 | $19,055 |
| 2 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
| 3 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 26 | $21,189 |
| 4 | Lipscomb University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 17 | $17,860 |
| 6 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 7 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 8 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 9 | Freed-Hardeman University Henderson Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 10 | Maryville College Maryville Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 8 Tennessee colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee University | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Bryan College - Dayton | Dayton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville | Public | 3 |
| Milligan University | Milligan | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| The University of the South | Sewanee | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Producers and Directors (SOC 27-2012).
Top skills
What Producers and Directors earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
University of Memphis (29 graduates a year), Belmont University (28 graduates a year) and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (26 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Tennessee colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville tops the list at $21,189. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in Tennessee is $78,680 (median $73,020), across about 2,920 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program?+
The Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program focuses on the visual and performing arts, providing students with a comprehensive education in various aspects of theatre production and performance. This program is ideal for individuals…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Producers and Directors?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 12,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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.
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