Best colleges for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
Pacific Lutheran University, Central Washington University and Western Washington University are the top bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Washington by graduate earnings. Pacific Lutheran University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,754, College Scorecard. Western Washington University, Central Washington University and Pacific Lutheran University award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Washington: 39, 27 and 23 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Washington colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and award 152 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 5 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 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,754 | 23 | 69% | $19,944 | $24,125 |
| 2 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,674 | 27 | 54% | — | $24,752 |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,258 | 39 | 65% | — | $20,500 |
| 4 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,778 | 23 | 85% | — | $15,638 |
| 5 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $16,310 | 4 | 68% | $35,057 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Washington
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 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public | 39 | $24,258 |
| 2 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public | 27 | $24,674 |
| 3 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 23 | $25,754 |
| 4 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 23 | $22,778 |
| 5 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 6 | Whitman College Walla Walla Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Whitworth University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 4 | $16,310 |
| 9 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | Seattle University Seattle Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Washington colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga University | Spokane | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Producers and Directors (SOC 27-2012).
Top skills
What Producers and Directors earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees?+
Western Washington University (39 graduates a year), Central Washington University (27 graduates a year) and Pacific Lutheran University (23 graduates a year) award the most Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Washington colleges offer Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
What is the best college for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Washington?+
By graduate earnings, Pacific Lutheran University leads among bachelor's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in Washington, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,754, College Scorecard. Central Washington University and Western Washington University follow. By degrees awarded, Western Washington University is the largest, with 39 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Pacific Lutheran University tops the list at $25,754. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Producers and Directors earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Producers and Directors in Washington is $98,990 (median $81,550), across about 2,270 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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