[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/)

# Best Drama and Theatre Arts Programs in New Jersey (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Art & Design Colleges in New Jersey](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-new-jersey/)

This page ranks the 6 Drama and Theatre Arts programs in New Jersey by the median earnings of Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, highest first. [Ramapo College of New Jersey](/school/ramapo-college-of-new-jersey/majors/) leads the list at $44,565, followed by [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/school/rutgers-university-new-brunswick/majors/) at $42,712 and [Montclair State University](/school/montclair-state-university/majors/) at $39,248.

Across the six programs, the median is $38,922, with a spread of $12,458 from the top figure to the lowest of $32,107.

Public institutions account for 5 of the 6 programs, with one private nonprofit school rounding out the list. Rutgers University-New Brunswick ranks 30th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and Kean University posts the lowest average net price at $12,447.

## The ranked list

6 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Ramapo College of New Jersey · Mahwah, NJ | $44,565 | $18,173 | $9,008 | 70.6% |
|  | [Ramapo College of New Jersey](/school/ramapo-college-of-new-jersey/majors/) reports [$44,565 in median earnings](/school/ramapo-college-of-new-jersey/outcomes/) of Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $18,173. |
| 2 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New Brunswick, NJ | $42,712 | $24,406 | $16,343 | 58.2% |
|  | [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/school/rutgers-university-new-brunswick/majors/) [ranks 30th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/rutgers-university-new-brunswick/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 58% of applicants. |
| 3 | Montclair State University · Montclair, NJ | $39,248 | $15,566 | $10,880 | 87.9% |
|  | [Montclair State University](/school/montclair-state-university/majors/) carries a [median federal debt of $21,500](/school/montclair-state-university/cost/) among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed and reports median earnings of $39,248 for Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. |
| 4 | Rowan University · Glassboro, NJ | $38,597 | $22,408 | $15,305 | 77.7% |
|  | [Rowan University](/school/rowan-university/majors/) shows [median earnings of $38,597](/school/rowan-university/outcomes/) for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, with 28 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 5 | Drew University · Madison, NJ | $38,562 | $24,280 | $15,224 | 67.8% |
|  | Drew University, a private nonprofit university in Madison, reports an average net price of $15,224 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 6 | Kean University · Union, NJ | $32,107 | $12,447 | $7,374 | 75.9% |
|  | [Kean University](/school/kean-university/majors/) holds the lowest average net price on the list at $12,447 and reports [median earnings of $32,107](/school/kean-university/outcomes/) four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in New Jersey appear. The figures reflect federally aided completers of Drama and Theatre Arts programs who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. Across the 6 listed programs, median earnings range from $32,107 to $44,565, with a median of $38,922. Ramapo College of New Jersey leads Rutgers University-New Brunswick by $1,853.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in New Jersey](/rankings/best-colleges-in-new-jersey/)
-   [Best Art & Design Colleges in New Jersey](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-new-jersey/)
-   Art & Design Colleges in New Jersey for Social Mobility