Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University are the top bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Virginia by graduate earnings. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,557, College Scorecard. Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University and Shenandoah University award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Virginia: 64, 55 and 51 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 27 Virginia colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 386 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 6 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,557 | 23 | 86% | — | $24,637 |
| 2 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,306 | 55 | 80% | — | $18,500 |
| 3 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,447 | 64 | 63% | — | $21,875 |
| 4 | Shenandoah University Winchester Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,818 | 51 | 67% | $27,455 | $27,000 |
| 5 | George Mason University Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,984 | 18 | 68% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Radford University Radford Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $20,666 | 8 | 49% | — | $25,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Virginia
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 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 64 | $22,447 |
| 2 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 55 | $24,306 |
| 3 | Shenandoah University Winchester Private not-for-profit | 51 | $17,818 |
| 4 | Mary Baldwin University Staunton Private not-for-profit | 40 | Not reported |
| 5 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit | 30 | Not reported |
| 6 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 23 | $36,557 |
| 7 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 18 | $22,984 |
| 8 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 9 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 10 | Hollins University Roanoke Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 17 Virginia colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radford University | Radford | Public | 8 |
| Randolph College | Lynchburg | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| William & Mary | Williamsburg | Public | 7 |
| Brightpoint Community College | Chester | Public | 6 |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville | Public | 6 |
| Emory & Henry University | Emory | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Southern Virginia University | Buena Vista | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Public | 4 |
| University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Hampton University | Hampton | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Randolph-Macon College | Ashland | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Averett University | Danville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Bluefield University | Bluefield | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Roanoke College | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington | 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 Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
Virginia Commonwealth University (64 graduates a year), James Madison University (55 graduates a year) and Shenandoah University (51 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 27 Virginia colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
What is the best college for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Virginia?+
By graduate earnings, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads among bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,557, College Scorecard. James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University follow. By degrees awarded, Virginia Commonwealth University is the largest, with 64 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tops the list at $36,557. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in Virginia is $74,770 (median $65,900), across about 2,820 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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