Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs
CIP 5005 · Visual & Performing Arts · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
260 institutions report graduate earnings for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $41,108 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59× and 53% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 108 of the 289 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
National ranking
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNY · Master's | $77,516 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +9% | — |
| 2 | University of IdahoID · Master's | $70,605 n=21 | 71% 1yr | $41,000 | 0.58× | Above +33% | — |
| 3 | San Diego State UniversityCA · Master's | $67,588 n=16 | — | — | — | Below -10% | — |
| 4 | CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNY · Master's | $64,923 n=22 | 75% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.63× | Below -9% | Below 2/2 |
| 5 | University of Notre DameIN · Bachelor's | $64,880 n=49 | 87% 5yr | $19,000 | 0.29× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 6 | East Texas A&M UniversityTX · Master's | $62,924 n=23 | — | — | — | Below -4% | — |
| 7 | University of HoustonTX · Master's | $62,281 n=28 | 76% 5yr | $27,581 | 0.44× | Below -5% | Below 2/2 |
| 8 | University of California-Los AngelesCA · Master's | $59,013 n=16 | — | $77,469 | 1.31× | Below -22% | — |
| 9 | Regent UniversityVA · Master's | $58,972 n=37 | 75% 1yr | $52,693 | 0.89× | Below -17% | — |
| 10 | Florida State UniversityFL · Master's | $58,724 n=40 | 63% 5yr | $50,319 | 0.86× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 11 | Brandeis UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $58,676 n=17 | 90% 5yr | — | — | Above +35% | — |
| 12 | New York UniversityNY · Master's | $58,054 n=87 | 77% | $97,383 | 1.68× | Below -18% | Below 2/2 |
| 13 | California Institute of the ArtsCA · Master's | $57,920 n=34 | 56% | $109,180 | 1.89× | Below -23% | Below 2/2 |
| 14 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Master's | $57,723 n=69 | 54% | $131,963 | 2.29× | Below -19% | Below 2/2 |
| 15 | The University of AlabamaAL · Master's | $57,026 n=19 | — | — | — | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 16 | University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's | $56,823 n=24 | 75% 5yr | $13,000 | 0.23× | Above +48% | Below 1/2 |
| 17 | University of North Carolina School of the ArtsNC · Master's | $56,064 n=21 | 71% 5yr | $62,729 | 1.12× | Below -5% | Below 2/2 |
| 18 | University of California-BerkeleyCA · Bachelor's | $55,555 n=22 | — | $15,012 | 0.27× | Above +45% | Below 1/2 |
| 19 | Drake UniversityIA · Bachelor's | $54,950 n=16 | — | $26,000 | 0.47× | Above +43% | Below 1/2 |
| 20 | University of Northern ColoradoCO · Master's | $54,468 n=16 | — | — | — | Below -19% | — |
| 21 | Miami University-OxfordOH · Bachelor's | $54,215 n=24 | — | $27,000 | 0.50× | Above +47% | — |
| 22 | University of Cincinnati-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $54,000 n=48 | 39% 1yr | $25,706 | 0.48× | Above +47% | Below 1/2 |
| 23 | Emerson CollegeMA · Master's | $53,881 n=16 | — | $41,000 | 0.76× | Below -29% | — |
| 24 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's | $53,569 n=52 | 67% | $108,033 | 2.02× | Below -29% | Below 2/2 |
| 25 | University of Nevada-Las VegasNV · Master's | $53,150 n=19 | — | — | — | Below -6% | — |
| 26 | Ohio University-Main CampusOH · Master's | $53,128 n=27 | — | $32,295 | 0.61× | Below -15% | Below 2/2 |
| 27 | Loyola Marymount UniversityCA · Master's | $52,957 n=17 | — | $108,680 | 2.05× | Below -30% | Below 2/2 |
| 28 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Master's | $52,930 n=19 | 77% 5yr | $79,859 | 1.51× | Below -18% | Below 2/2 |
| 29 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Master's | $52,495 n=19 | — | $59,867 | 1.14× | Below -30% | — |
| 30 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Master's | $52,436 n=29 | 53% 5yr | $19,749 | 0.38× | Below -23% | — |
| 31 | DePaul UniversityIL · Master's | $51,971 n=37 | 46% | $87,842 | 1.69× | Below -24% | Below 2/2 |
| 32 | Florida Southern CollegeFL · Bachelor's | $51,925 n=22 | — | $26,000 | 0.50× | Above +54% | — |
| 33 | The New SchoolNY · Master's | $51,836 n=27 | — | $103,045 | 1.99× | Below -27% | Below 2/2 |
| 34 | University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownPA · Bachelor's | $51,775 n=16 | — | $24,813 | 0.48× | Above +37% | — |
| 35 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · Bachelor's | $51,775 n=16 | — | $24,813 | 0.48× | Above +37% | — |
| 36 | Chapman UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $51,611 n=80 | 54% | $22,500 | 0.44× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 37 | Western Connecticut State UniversityCT · Bachelor's | $50,955 n=35 | — | $25,000 | 0.49× | Above +21% | Below 1/2 |
| 38 | Pepperdine UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $50,594 n=21 | — | $19,500 | 0.39× | Above +32% | Clears 2/2 |
| 39 | Rhode Island CollegeRI · Bachelor's | $50,335 n=20 | 70% 5yr | $24,034 | 0.48× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 40 | Hollins UniversityVA · Master's | $50,189 n=20 | — | — | — | Below -29% | — |
| 41 | University of UtahUT · Bachelor's | $49,802 n=30 | — | $19,566 | 0.39× | Above +25% | — |
| 42 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Master's | $49,771 n=17 | 80% 5yr | $48,000 | 0.96× | Below -24% | Below 2/2 |
| 43 | Wayne State UniversityMI · Master's | $49,640 n=20 | — | — | — | Below -21% | Below 2/2 |
| 44 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's | $49,323 n=32 | — | $20,500 | 0.42× | Above +31% | Below 1/2 |
| 45 | Northwestern UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $49,316 n=61 | 62% | $17,000 | 0.34× | Above +31% | Below 1/2 |
| 46 | University of Missouri-Kansas CityMO · Master's | $49,306 n=30 | 87% | $37,471 | 0.76× | Below -15% | Below 2/2 |
| 47 | Villanova UniversityPA · Master's | $49,302 n=19 | — | — | — | Below -23% | — |
| 48 | Loyola Marymount UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $49,135 n=94 | 45% | $20,000 | 0.41× | Above +28% | Below 1/2 |
| 49 | Texas Tech UniversityTX · Master's | $48,879 n=17 | — | — | — | Below -25% | — |
| 50 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's | $48,781 n=31 | 58% 1yr | $25,711 | 0.53× | Above +36% | — |
| 51 | University of North Carolina School of the ArtsNC · Bachelor's | $48,664 n=91 | 40% | $23,500 | 0.48× | Above +42% | Below 1/2 |
| 52 | Manhattanville UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $48,629 n=20 | — | $27,000 | 0.56× | Above +28% | Below 1/2 |
| 53 | Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $48,502 n=137 | 36% | $19,500 | 0.40× | Above +36% | Below 1/2 |
| 54 | University of Central MissouriMO · Bachelor's | $48,179 n=21 | — | $21,500 | 0.45× | Above +35% | Below 1/2 |
| 55 | University of California-San DiegoCA · Master's | $48,041 n=25 | — | $26,864 | 0.56× | Below -36% | — |
| 56 | Saint Edward's UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $47,974 n=26 | — | $26,000 | 0.54× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 57 | Binghamton UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $47,945 n=19 | — | $19,500 | 0.41× | Above +26% | Below 1/2 |
| 58 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Bachelor's | $47,878 n=28 | 83% 5yr | $24,250 | 0.51× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 59 | California State University-SacramentoCA · Bachelor's | $47,676 n=16 | — | $16,396 | 0.34× | Above +24% | Below 1/2 |
| 60 | Savannah College of Art and DesignGA · Master's | $47,617 n=67 | 43% | $81,865 | 1.72× | Below -25% | Below 2/2 |
| 61 | University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOK · Bachelor's | $47,587 n=32 | 56% | $20,044 | 0.42× | Above +34% | Below 1/2 |
| 62 | West Texas A & M UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $47,175 n=29 | — | $19,250 | 0.41× | Above +32% | — |
| 63 | University of Puget SoundWA · Bachelor's | $46,791 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +10% | — |
| 64 | Stephens CollegeMO · Master's | $46,746 n=22 | — | $41,000 | 0.88× | Below -19% | — |
| 65 | Radford UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $46,725 n=23 | — | $24,000 | 0.51× | Above +23% | Below 1/2 |
| 66 | North Central CollegeIL · Bachelor's | $46,605 n=22 | — | $19,500 | 0.42× | Above +24% | Below 1/2 |
| 67 | Ithaca CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $46,563 n=79 | 58% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.56× | Above +22% | — |
| 68 | Fordham UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $46,317 n=27 | 67% | $26,826 | 0.58× | Above +22% | Below 1/2 |
| 69 | University of Northern ColoradoCO · Bachelor's | $46,089 n=76 | 45% | $24,000 | 0.52× | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 70 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's | $45,888 n=68 | 35% | $20,379 | 0.44× | Above +31% | Below 1/2 |
| 71 | University of EvansvilleIN · Bachelor's | $45,838 n=23 | — | $23,727 | 0.52× | Above +22% | — |
| 72 | Baylor UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $45,706 n=28 | — | $24,130 | 0.53× | Above +28% | Below 1/2 |
| 73 | Portland State UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $45,692 n=23 | — | $29,399 | 0.64× | Above +24% | Clears 2/2 |
| 74 | University at BuffaloNY · Bachelor's | $45,677 n=20 | — | $22,500 | 0.49× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 75 | University of South FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $45,671 n=31 | 71% 5yr | $22,342 | 0.49× | Above +35% | Below 1/2 |
| 76 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $45,656 n=32 | — | $27,000 | 0.59× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 77 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's | $45,504 n=27 | — | $27,000 | 0.59× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 78 | Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityNE · Bachelor's | $45,420 n=24 | — | $27,000 | 0.59× | Above +22% | Below 1/2 |
| 79 | James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $45,225 n=52 | 35% | $19,000 | 0.42× | Above +19% | Below 1/2 |
| 80 | St Olaf CollegeMN · Bachelor's | $45,023 n=17 | — | $21,000 | 0.47× | Above +13% | Clears 2/2 |
| 81 | College of CharlestonSC · Bachelor's | $44,991 n=29 | 67% 5yr | $26,746 | 0.59× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 82 | Appalachian State UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $44,986 n=30 | — | $23,750 | 0.53× | Above +31% | — |
| 83 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's | $44,913 n=29 | 59% | $27,000 | 0.60× | Above +19% | Below 1/2 |
| 84 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BerksPA · Bachelor's | $44,913 n=29 | 59% | $27,000 | 0.60× | Above +19% | Below 1/2 |
| 85 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $44,878 n=162 | 57% | $20,500 | 0.46× | Above +33% | Below 1/2 |
| 86 | San Francisco State UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $44,848 n=51 | 45% | $17,940 | 0.40× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 87 | University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · Bachelor's | $44,825 n=31 | 59% 5yr | $22,500 | 0.50× | Above +21% | Below 1/2 |
| 88 | Emerson CollegeMA · Bachelor's | $44,760 n=113 | 64% | $25,000 | 0.56× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 89 | Western Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $44,694 n=82 | 21% | $26,731 | 0.60× | Above +28% | Below 1/2 |
| 90 | University of MontevalloAL · Bachelor's | $44,624 n=23 | — | $22,875 | 0.51× | Above +29% | Below 1/2 |
| 91 | Ramapo College of New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's | $44,565 n=21 | — | $15,000 | 0.34× | Above +12% | Below 1/2 |
| 92 | University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $44,471 n=38 | 45% | $23,665 | 0.53× | Above +21% | Below 1/2 |
| 93 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $44,459 n=23 | — | $24,125 | 0.54× | Above +4% | — |
| 94 | Hofstra UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $44,388 n=48 | 38% | $26,000 | 0.59× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 95 | Florida State UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $44,115 n=76 | 40% | $19,500 | 0.44× | Above +31% | Below 1/2 |
| 96 | University of California-Santa BarbaraCA · Bachelor's | $44,106 n=47 | — | $16,667 | 0.38× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 97 | DePaul UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $44,095 n=75 | 51% | $26,348 | 0.60× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 98 | Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $44,045 n=87 | 60% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.61× | Above +16% | — |
| 99 | Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $43,957 n=65 | 49% | $20,500 | 0.47× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 100 | Central Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $43,916 n=24 | — | $27,000 | 0.61× | Above +25% | Below 1/2 |
| 101 | Long Island UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $43,904 n=16 | — | $26,000 | 0.59× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 102 | Suffolk UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $43,553 n=24 | — | $27,000 | 0.62× | Above +0% | — |
| 103 | Lindenwood UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $43,329 n=27 | 68% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.62× | Above +21% | Below 1/2 |
| 104 | California State University-NorthridgeCA · Bachelor's | $43,240 n=57 | 47% | $15,201 | 0.35× | Above +12% | Below 1/2 |
| 105 | Ball State UniversityIN · Bachelor's | $43,082 n=87 | 30% | $24,340 | 0.56× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 106 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's | $43,055 n=58 | 48% | $19,778 | 0.46× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 107 | University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's | $43,046 n=16 | — | $15,000 | 0.35× | Above +22% | Clears 2/2 |
| 108 | University of Central FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $42,954 n=54 | 38% 1yr | $19,500 | 0.45× | Above +27% | Below 1/2 |
| 109 | Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · Bachelor's | $42,870 n=25 | — | $20,500 | 0.48× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 110 | Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $42,820 n=40 | 39% 1yr | $22,185 | 0.52× | Above +22% | Clears 2/2 |
| 111 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusOH · Bachelor's | $42,796 n=29 | 64% 5yr | $21,875 | 0.51× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 112 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusOH · Bachelor's | $42,796 n=29 | 64% 5yr | $21,875 | 0.51× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 113 | Ohio University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $42,796 n=29 | 64% 5yr | $21,875 | 0.51× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 114 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusOH · Bachelor's | $42,796 n=29 | 64% 5yr | $21,875 | 0.51× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 115 | Rutgers University-CamdenNJ · Bachelor's | $42,712 n=69 | 43% 1yr | $21,000 | 0.49× | Above +7% | — |
| 116 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's | $42,712 n=69 | 43% 1yr | $21,000 | 0.49× | Above +7% | — |
| 117 | Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Bachelor's | $42,712 n=69 | 43% 1yr | $21,000 | 0.49× | Above +7% | — |
| 118 | Northern Illinois UniversityIL · Master's | $42,708 n=18 | — | — | — | Below -38% | Below 2/2 |
| 119 | DeSales UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $42,571 n=30 | 60% | $27,000 | 0.63× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 120 | Texas Christian UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $42,483 n=19 | — | $27,000 | 0.64× | Above +19% | Below 1/2 |
| 121 | California State University-FullertonCA · Bachelor's | $42,455 n=80 | 41% | $15,000 | 0.35× | Above +10% | Below 1/2 |
| 122 | University of Minnesota-DuluthMN · Bachelor's | $42,438 n=39 | — | $20,812 | 0.49× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 123 | University of North TexasTX · Bachelor's | $42,362 n=62 | 50% | $23,295 | 0.55× | Above +18% | Below 1/2 |
| 124 | New York UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $42,348 n=390 | 45% | $21,411 | 0.51× | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 125 | University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's | $42,301 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +18% | — |
| 126 | Loyola University ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $42,195 n=20 | — | $21,500 | 0.51× | Above +12% | — |
| 127 | Muhlenberg CollegePA · Bachelor's | $42,092 n=75 | 40% | $27,000 | 0.64× | Above +12% | Below 1/2 |
| 128 | CUNY New York City College of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's | $41,880 n=44 | 57% 5yr | $9,100 | 0.22× | Above +10% | Clears 2/2 |
| 129 | San Diego State UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $41,812 n=60 | — | $15,000 | 0.36× | Above +9% | — |
| 130 | Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiTX · Bachelor's | $41,773 n=44 | 70% 5yr | $22,658 | 0.54× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 131 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $41,745 n=53 | 64% | $18,867 | 0.45× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 132 | University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's | $41,742 n=24 | 57% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.49× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 133 | University of the Incarnate WordTX · Bachelor's | $41,720 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +17% | — |
| 134 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $41,707 n=55 | 36% | $13,750 | 0.33× | Above +23% | Below 1/2 |
| 135 | Oklahoma City UniversityOK · Bachelor's | $41,540 n=46 | 37% | $26,863 | 0.65× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 136 | Stephen F Austin State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $41,450 n=49 | 43% | $24,114 | 0.58× | Above +16% | Clears 2/2 |
| 137 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTN · Bachelor's | $41,414 n=26 | 67% 5yr | $22,500 | 0.54× | Above +18% | Below 1/2 |
| 138 | Chapman UniversityCA · Master's | $41,394 n=31 | — | $138,664 | 3.35× | Below -45% | — |
| 139 | East Carolina UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $41,394 n=40 | — | $27,000 | 0.65× | Above +21% | Below 1/2 |
| 140 | University of California-San DiegoCA · Bachelor's | $41,389 n=36 | 67% 5yr | $14,458 | 0.35× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 141 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Bachelor's | $41,362 n=31 | — | $15,827 | 0.38× | Above +21% | — |
| 142 | Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Bachelor's | $41,328 n=36 | 50% | $21,988 | 0.53× | Above +10% | Below 1/2 |
| 143 | CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $41,233 n=32 | — | — | — | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 144 | California Institute of the ArtsCA · Bachelor's | $41,192 n=56 | 32% | $27,000 | 0.66× | Above +7% | Below 1/2 |
| 145 | University of North Carolina at GreensboroNC · Bachelor's | $41,108 n=68 | 28% | $24,000 | 0.58× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 146 | Winthrop UniversitySC · Bachelor's | $40,948 n=32 | — | $27,000 | 0.66× | Above +19% | Below 1/2 |
| 147 | West Virginia UniversityWV · Bachelor's | $40,942 n=56 | — | $19,500 | 0.48× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 148 | University of California-IrvineCA · Bachelor's | $40,773 n=63 | 44% 5yr | $16,201 | 0.40× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 149 | Western Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $40,616 n=45 | 47% | $19,500 | 0.48× | Below -5% | Below 2/2 |
| 150 | Shenandoah UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $40,457 n=28 | 61% | $27,000 | 0.67× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 151 | California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $40,432 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +5% | — |
| 152 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's | $40,415 n=174 | 41% | $12,000 | 0.30× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 153 | Skidmore CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $40,351 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +6% | — |
| 154 | Illinois State UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $40,258 n=55 | 55% | $21,500 | 0.53× | Above +7% | Below 1/2 |
| 155 | Vassar CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $40,165 n=24 | — | $20,000 | 0.50× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 156 | Point Park UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $40,121 n=89 | 48% | $27,000 | 0.67× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 157 | California State University-San BernardinoCA · Bachelor's | $40,118 n=24 | — | — | — | Above +4% | — |
| 158 | Marymount Manhattan CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $40,086 n=178 | 24% | $27,000 | 0.67× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 159 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's | $40,085 n=26 | — | $20,750 | 0.52× | Above +23% | — |
| 160 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $40,073 n=65 | 37% | $25,000 | 0.62× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 161 | University of Nevada-Las VegasNV · Bachelor's | $40,033 n=59 | 55% 5yr | $19,663 | 0.49× | Above +6% | — |
| 162 | Columbia College ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $39,986 n=274 | 31% | $25,500 | 0.64× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 163 | SUNY at Purchase CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $39,974 n=153 | 36% | $25,000 | 0.62× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 164 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · Bachelor's | $39,926 n=25 | — | $23,500 | 0.59× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 165 | SUNY Buffalo State UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $39,863 n=22 | — | $20,152 | 0.51× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 166 | University of Northern IowaIA · Bachelor's | $39,816 n=21 | — | $21,500 | 0.54× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 167 | SUNY at FredoniaNY · Bachelor's | $39,770 n=37 | 43% | $27,000 | 0.68× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 168 | Towson UniversityMD · Bachelor's | $39,753 n=37 | 54% | $17,500 | 0.44× | Below -5% | Below 2/2 |
| 169 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Bachelor's | $39,725 n=42 | — | $21,500 | 0.54× | Above +16% | — |
| 170 | Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleIL · Bachelor's | $39,698 n=20 | — | $25,000 | 0.63× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 171 | Wagner CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $39,664 n=50 | 49% 5yr | $26,949 | 0.68× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 172 | Webster UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $39,604 n=60 | 47% | $26,000 | 0.66× | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 173 | Kansas State UniversityKS · Bachelor's | $39,598 n=16 | — | $25,000 | 0.63× | Above +9% | — |
| 174 | Auburn UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $39,566 n=18 | — | $21,750 | 0.55× | Above +15% | — |
| 175 | State University of New York at New PaltzNY · Bachelor's | $39,521 n=22 | 77% | $19,875 | 0.50× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 176 | University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWI · Bachelor's | $39,521 n=16 | — | $27,625 | 0.70× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 177 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWI · Bachelor's | $39,452 n=48 | 73% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.68× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 178 | Oakland UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $39,442 n=27 | — | $26,678 | 0.68× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 179 | Boston UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $39,322 n=70 | 43% | $26,849 | 0.68× | Below -10% | Below 2/2 |
| 180 | Montclair State UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $39,248 n=62 | 63% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.55× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 181 | The New SchoolNY · Bachelor's | $39,248 n=75 | 29% 1yr | $23,000 | 0.59× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 182 | Belhaven UniversityMS · Bachelor's | $39,109 n=19 | — | $27,000 | 0.69× | Above +19% | — |
| 183 | Arcadia UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $39,087 n=21 | — | $27,000 | 0.69× | Above +4% | — |
| 184 | University of California-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's | $39,023 n=78 | 47% 5yr | $16,825 | 0.43× | Above +2% | — |
| 185 | University of Central OklahomaOK · Bachelor's | $38,914 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +10% | — |
| 186 | Pace UniversityNY · Master's | $38,903 n=38 | 63% | $146,432 | 3.76× | Below -45% | Below 2/2 |
| 187 | The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyTX · Bachelor's | $38,865 n=40 | — | $11,002 | 0.28× | Above +9% | Below 1/2 |
| 188 | Millikin UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $38,666 n=47 | 36% | $27,000 | 0.70× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 189 | Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $38,597 n=41 | — | $21,500 | 0.56× | Below -3% | Below 2/2 |
| 190 | Drew UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $38,562 n=27 | — | $27,000 | 0.70× | Below -3% | Below 2/2 |
| 191 | Old Dominion UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $38,537 n=27 | — | $25,000 | 0.65× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 192 | Southern Oregon UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $38,487 n=52 | — | $21,833 | 0.57× | Above +5% | — |
| 193 | University of KentuckyKY · Bachelor's | $38,475 n=29 | — | $25,500 | 0.66× | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 194 | University of MemphisTN · Bachelor's | $38,440 n=35 | — | $19,000 | 0.49× | Above +10% | Below 1/2 |
| 195 | Northern Arizona UniversityAZ · Bachelor's | $38,380 n=31 | 64% 5yr | $21,966 | 0.57× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 196 | Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $38,348 n=31 | 50% 5yr | $24,980 | 0.65× | Above +9% | Below 1/2 |
| 197 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLA · Bachelor's | $38,317 n=38 | 42% | $21,000 | 0.55× | Above +10% | Below 1/2 |
| 198 | California State University-Long BeachCA · Bachelor's | $38,270 n=81 | 44% | $15,000 | 0.39× | Below +0% | Below 2/2 |
| 199 | Georgia Southern UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $38,107 n=28 | — | $26,875 | 0.70× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 200 | Otterbein UniversityOH · Bachelor's | $38,023 n=19 | — | $26,822 | 0.70× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 201 | Missouri State University-SpringfieldMO · Bachelor's | $37,959 n=46 | 61% 5yr | $22,500 | 0.59× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 202 | Roosevelt UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $37,748 n=63 | — | $26,000 | 0.69× | Above +0% | Below 1/2 |
| 203 | Adelphi UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $37,630 n=29 | — | $24,125 | 0.64× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 204 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointWI · Bachelor's | $37,507 n=38 | — | $25,000 | 0.67× | Below -4% | Below 2/2 |
| 205 | Mary Baldwin UniversityVA · Master's | $37,495 n=30 | 79% 5yr | $52,488 | 1.40× | Below -47% | Below 2/2 |
| 206 | Ohio State University-Lima CampusOH · Bachelor's | $37,445 n=35 | 51% | $23,250 | 0.62× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 207 | Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $37,445 n=35 | 51% | $23,250 | 0.62× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 208 | Brown UniversityRI · Master's | $37,270 n=19 | — | $58,538 | 1.57× | Below -44% | Below 2/2 |
| 209 | Pace UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $37,213 n=103 | 18% | $26,950 | 0.72× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 210 | University of Alabama at BirminghamAL · Bachelor's | $37,173 n=24 | — | $24,784 | 0.67× | Above +8% | — |
| 211 | Grand Canyon UniversityAZ · Bachelor's | $37,142 n=23 | — | $23,750 | 0.64× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 212 | University of Wisconsin-ParksideWI · Bachelor's | $37,110 n=21 | — | $24,397 | 0.66× | Below -5% | — |
| 213 | Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $37,094 n=26 | — | $25,250 | 0.68× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 214 | Temple UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $36,994 n=75 | 35% | $23,375 | 0.63× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 215 | Brenau UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $36,910 n=28 | — | $18,824 | 0.51× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 216 | Anderson UniversitySC · Bachelor's | $36,872 n=23 | — | $23,750 | 0.64× | Above +7% | — |
| 217 | University of Illinois ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $36,792 n=35 | 53% 5yr | $20,342 | 0.55× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 218 | Northern Illinois UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $36,777 n=31 | 60% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.73× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 219 | Dean CollegeMA · Bachelor's | $36,724 n=27 | — | $27,000 | 0.73× | Below -16% | Below 2/2 |
| 220 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCA · Bachelor's | $36,697 n=16 | — | — | — | Below -5% | — |
| 221 | Eastern Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $36,621 n=23 | 70% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.74× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 222 | Flagler CollegeFL · Bachelor's | $36,506 n=20 | — | $25,893 | 0.71× | Above +8% | — |
| 223 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX · Bachelor's | $36,457 n=26 | — | $18,833 | 0.52× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 224 | Kent State University at KentOH · Bachelor's | $36,429 n=76 | 36% | $26,000 | 0.71× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 225 | Sam Houston State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $36,389 n=48 | 48% | $21,114 | 0.58× | Above +2% | Clears 2/2 |
| 226 | Baldwin Wallace UniversityOH · Bachelor's | $36,251 n=34 | — | $27,000 | 0.74× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 227 | Northwestern State University of LouisianaLA · Bachelor's | $36,229 n=37 | 59% 5yr | $21,359 | 0.59× | Above +4% | — |
| 228 | Cleveland State UniversityOH · Bachelor's | $36,174 n=24 | — | $23,781 | 0.66× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 229 | California State University-FullertonCA · Master's | $36,154 n=18 | — | — | — | Below -52% | Below 2/2 |
| 230 | Nazareth UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $36,117 n=16 | — | $27,000 | 0.75× | Below -5% | Below 2/2 |
| 231 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonNC · Bachelor's | $35,956 n=31 | 52% | $25,000 | 0.69× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 232 | Academy of Art UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $35,870 n=32 | 39% 1yr | $30,666 | 0.85× | Below -7% | — |
| 233 | Southern Methodist UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $35,844 n=20 | — | $22,000 | 0.61× | Above +0% | Below 1/2 |
| 234 | Plymouth State UniversityNH · Bachelor's | $35,646 n=24 | — | $27,000 | 0.76× | Below -20% | — |
| 235 | Northern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $35,624 n=65 | 29% | $18,057 | 0.51× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 236 | University of IdahoID · Bachelor's | $35,407 n=20 | — | $21,000 | 0.59× | Below +0% | Below 2/2 |
| 237 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's | $35,286 n=16 | — | $26,155 | 0.74× | Below -6% | — |
| 238 | Stephens CollegeMO · Bachelor's | $35,235 n=34 | — | $27,000 | 0.77× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 239 | Savannah College of Art and DesignGA · Bachelor's | $35,177 n=125 | 36% | $27,000 | 0.77× | Below +0% | Below 2/2 |
| 240 | Wright State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $35,148 n=43 | 53% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.74× | Below -5% | Below 2/2 |
| 241 | California State University-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's | $35,097 n=39 | — | $10,571 | 0.30× | Below -9% | — |
| 242 | University of WyomingWY · Bachelor's | $35,028 n=32 | — | $17,938 | 0.51× | Below -13% | — |
| 243 | Western Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $34,987 n=27 | — | $21,500 | 0.61× | Above +1% | — |
| 244 | Columbus State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $34,931 n=28 | 43% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.72× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 245 | Seton Hill UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $34,890 n=16 | — | $27,000 | 0.77× | Below -7% | — |
| 246 | Molloy UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $34,822 n=31 | — | $27,000 | 0.78× | Below -8% | — |
| 247 | University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMD · Bachelor's | $34,778 n=21 | — | $17,500 | 0.50× | Below -17% | — |
| 248 | East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $34,674 n=19 | — | $23,250 | 0.67× | Below -8% | — |
| 249 | University of MiamiFL · Bachelor's | $34,667 n=25 | — | $17,500 | 0.51× | Above +3% | — |
| 250 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Bachelor's | $34,552 n=22 | — | — | — | Below -17% | — |
Showing the top 250 of 289 institution-programs by median earnings; 39 lower-earning programs are omitted from the table for length.
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
By state — median earnings, 4 yrs out
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $46,089 | 5 |
| Virginia | $45,225 | 9 |
| Indiana | $44,460 | 4 |
| Washington | $44,459 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | $44,156 | 6 |
| Michigan | $43,368 | 8 |
| Missouri | $43,329 | 7 |
| Minnesota | $42,746 | 4 |
| Texas | $42,422 | 20 |
| Florida | $42,330 | 12 |
| California | $42,134 | 32 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,092 | 15 |
| Oklahoma | $41,540 | 3 |
| North Carolina | $41,362 | 9 |
| New York | $40,258 | 34 |
| Illinois | $40,258 | 17 |
| Arizona | $40,062 | 4 |
| Iowa | $39,816 | 3 |
| Alabama | $39,566 | 5 |
| New Jersey | $38,922 | 10 |
| South Carolina | $38,910 | 4 |
| Oregon | $38,487 | 3 |
| Georgia | $37,508 | 8 |
| Wisconsin | $37,507 | 5 |
| Ohio | $37,445 | 17 |
States with at least 3 reporting Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs, by median graduate earnings.
Frequently asked
Which colleges have the highest-paying Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in this dataset are CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($77,516), University of Idaho ($70,605), San Diego State University ($67,588). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 108 of the 289 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.