Best Drama and Theatre Arts Programs in the Midwest (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Art & Design Colleges in the Midwest
Regional list from Best Drama and Theatre Arts Programs in the United States
This page ranks the 74 Drama and Theatre Arts programs in the Midwest by the median earnings of Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. University of Notre Dame leads the list with earnings of $64,880, followed by Drake University at $54,950 and Miami University-Oxford at $54,215.
Across the listed programs, median earnings range from $64,880 to $17,481, with a median of $37,854. For 17 of the 74 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 65% of the list, with 48 public and 26 private nonprofit schools represented. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and Oakland University posts the lowest average net price at $9,120.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN | $64,880 | $26,780 | $7,244 | 11.3% |
| University of Notre Dame ranks 1st on this list, reporting $64,880 in median earnings for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 11%. | |||||
| 2 | Drake University · Des Moines, IA | $54,950 | $29,127 | $25,824 | 63.9% |
| Drake University posts median earnings of $54,950 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $29,127. | |||||
| 3 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $54,215 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
| With a 75% admission rate, Miami University-Oxford reports $54,215 in median earnings for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | $54,000 | $25,648 | $17,974 | 85.3% |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus shows median federal debt of $25,706 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed, while its graduates four years after completing earned a median of $54,000. | |||||
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $49,323 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
| An average net price of $14,355 coincides with median earnings of $49,323 for Drama and Theatre Arts graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Northwestern University · Evanston, IL | $49,316 | $29,167 | $1,764 | 7.7% |
| Northwestern University admits 8% of applicants and its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates earned a median of $49,316 four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $48,179 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 63.8% |
| University of Central Missouri reports median earnings of $48,179 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $21,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 8 | North Central College · Naperville, IL | $46,605 | $21,044 | $12,507 | 77.3% |
| North Central College ranks 8th on this list, with median earnings of $46,605 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 9 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $45,888 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor reports median earnings of $45,888 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $1,043 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 10 | University of Evansville · Evansville, IN | $45,838 | $18,499 | $14,451 | 77.6% |
| Median federal debt of $23,727 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed accompanies median earnings of $45,838 four years after completing at University of Evansville. | |||||
| 11 | Nebraska Wesleyan University · Lincoln, NE | $45,420 | $18,327 | $14,925 | 79.8% |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University posts an admission rate of 80% and median earnings of $45,420 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | St Olaf College · Northfield, MN | $45,023 | $23,874 | $10,404 | 48.3% |
| St Olaf College reports median earnings of $45,023 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $23,874. | |||||
| 13 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Lincoln, NE | $44,825 | $17,747 | $12,751 | 87.5% |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports median earnings of $44,825 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $12,751 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 14 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $44,694 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
| Western Michigan University ranks 14th on this list, with a median of $26,731 in federal debt among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 15 | DePaul University · Chicago, IL | $44,095 | $30,902 | $27,359 | 75.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in Chicago, DePaul University admits 76% of applicants and posts median earnings of $44,095 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 16 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $43,916 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
| Central Michigan University shows an average net price of $17,597 and median earnings of $43,916 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | Lindenwood University · Saint Charles, MO | $43,329 | $19,638 | $15,678 | 56.8% |
| Lindenwood University sits 781st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing earn a median of $43,329. | |||||
| 18 | Ball State University · Muncie, IN | $43,082 | $14,940 | $7,834 | 85.5% |
| With 74 graduates in the earnings cohort, Ball State University reports median earnings of $43,082 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis, MN | $43,055 | $16,778 | $6,642 | 79.8% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities carries a median federal debt of $19,778 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed, and its graduates four years after completing earn a median of $43,055. | |||||
| 20 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $42,820 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
| Michigan State University ranks 69th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing earn a median of $42,820. | |||||
| 21 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $42,796 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
| Ohio University-Main Campus reports an average net price of $15,673 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $42,796 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 22 | University of Minnesota-Duluth · Duluth, MN | $42,438 | $18,743 | $7,256 | 88.8% |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth admits 89% of applicants, and its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing earn a median of $42,438. | |||||
| 23 | Loyola University Chicago · Chicago, IL | $42,195 | $36,079 | $28,992 | 81.6% |
| A private nonprofit university in Chicago, Loyola University Chicago shows a median federal debt of $21,500 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 24 | Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN | $41,328 | $16,264 | $6,324 | 78.2% |
| Indiana University-Bloomington reports median earnings of $41,328 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $6,324 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 25 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $40,258 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
| Illinois State University reports median earnings of $40,258 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $11,568 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 26 | Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL | $39,986 | $26,598 | $20,924 | 89.5% |
| A private nonprofit in Chicago, Columbia College Chicago ranks 26th on this list and shows a median of $25,500 in federal debt among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 27 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $39,926 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admits 87% of applicants and posts median earnings of $39,926 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 28 | University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, IA | $39,816 | $15,901 | $10,863 | 92.7% |
| With an average net price of $15,901, University of Northern Iowa ranks 435th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 29 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $39,698 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 97.5% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville reports median earnings of $39,698 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, from a cohort of 12 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 30 | Webster University · Saint Louis, MO | $39,604 | $27,047 | $22,359 | 86.2% |
| Webster University ranks 30th on this list and carries a median federal debt of $26,000 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 31 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $39,598 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Kansas State University left with a median of $21,250 in federal loans, and the school's Drama and Theatre Arts graduates earned a median of $39,598 four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · Whitewater, WI | $39,521 | $14,158 | $8,440 | 85.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater reports an average net price of $8,440 for families earning under $30,000, and its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates earned a median of $39,521 four years after completing. | |||||
| 33 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI | $39,452 | $15,014 | $10,329 | 90.7% |
| Ranking 214th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee admits 91% of applicants. | |||||
| 34 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | $39,442 | $9,120 | $4,422 | 87.8% |
| Oakland University reports median earnings of $39,442 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside a median federal debt of $26,678 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 35 | Millikin University · Decatur, IL | $38,666 | $21,989 | $18,659 | 66.7% |
| A private nonprofit in Decatur, Millikin University ranks 35th on this list and reports an average net price of $21,989. | |||||
| 36 | Otterbein University · Westerville, OH | $38,023 | $19,237 | $12,458 | 84.5% |
| Otterbein University posts median earnings of $38,023 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, from a cohort of 20 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 37 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $37,959 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 90.5% |
| Missouri State University-Springfield reports median earnings of $37,959 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, with 37 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 38 | Roosevelt University · Chicago, IL | $37,748 | $20,194 | $18,018 | 97.2% |
| A private nonprofit university in Chicago, Roosevelt University ranks 38th on this list and shows an admission rate of 97%. | |||||
| 39 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI | $37,507 | $14,559 | $8,833 | 91.8% |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point carries an average net price of $14,559 and a median federal debt of $25,000 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 40 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $37,445 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus ranks 90th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside median earnings of $37,445 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside · Kenosha, WI | $37,110 | $11,772 | $7,425 | 75.4% |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside admits 75% of applicants and reports an average net price of $7,425 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 42 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $37,094 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus posts median earnings of $37,094 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 15 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 43 | University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago, IL | $36,792 | $10,974 | $7,529 | 77.4% |
| University of Illinois Chicago ranks 17th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a median federal debt of $20,342 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 44 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $36,777 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 69.8% |
| Northern Illinois University reports median earnings of $36,777 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 70%. | |||||
| 45 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $36,621 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
| Eastern Michigan University carries an average net price of $13,250 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 319th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 46 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $36,429 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
| Kent State University at Kent shows a median federal debt of $26,000 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed, with 58 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 47 | Baldwin Wallace University · Berea, OH | $36,251 | $27,603 | $21,296 | 75.7% |
| A private nonprofit university in Berea, Baldwin Wallace University reports median earnings of $36,251 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 48 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $36,174 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 91.3% |
| Cleveland State University admits 91% of applicants and carries an average net price of $14,764. | |||||
| 49 | Stephens College · Columbia, MO | $35,235 | $23,459 | $9,918 | 77.2% |
| Stephens College, a private nonprofit college in Columbia, ranks 49th on this list with median earnings of $35,235 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 50 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $35,148 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 96.3% |
| Wright State University-Main Campus admits 96% of applicants and reports median earnings of $35,148 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, ranking 50th on this page. | |||||
| 51 | Ohio Northern University · Ada, OH | $34,445 | $24,478 | $18,525 | 74.4% |
| Ohio Northern University posts an average net price of $24,478 and ranks 51st on this list, with $34,445 in median earnings for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 52 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $32,525 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
| Wayne State University ranks 52nd on this list and carries a median federal debt of $21,853 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $32,525 four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | Minnesota State University-Mankato · Mankato, MN | $32,199 | $19,139 | $12,339 | 88.4% |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato reports median earnings of $32,199 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing and ranks 53rd on this page, with an average net price of $19,139. | |||||
| 54 | Illinois Wesleyan University · Bloomington, IL | $31,172 | $28,199 | $17,732 | 39.3% |
| Illinois Wesleyan University ranks 54th on this list and sits at 623rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an admission rate of 39%. | |||||
| 55 | Viterbo University · La Crosse, WI | $31,051 | $21,260 | $13,657 | 72.4% |
| Viterbo University posts median earnings of $31,051 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing and carries a median federal debt of $22,814 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 56 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay · Green Bay, WI | $30,771 | $13,369 | $9,144 | 88.6% |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay admits 89% of applicants and ranks 56th on this list, with median earnings of $30,771 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 57 | University of Toledo · Toledo, OH | $30,451 | $17,249 | $13,524 | 92.0% |
| Ranking 57th on this list, University of Toledo carries a median federal debt of $22,250 across all of the school's borrowers who completed and admits 92% of applicants. | |||||
| 58 | University of Iowa · Iowa City, IA | $30,231 | $22,531 | $15,316 | 83.6% |
| University of Iowa reports a median federal debt of $25,277 among Drama and Theatre Arts completers who borrowed and ranks 58th on this list, with median earnings of $30,231 four years after completing. | |||||
| 59 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $29,685 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
| With an admission rate of 45%, University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks 59th on this page and posts an average net price of $4,200 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 60 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls · River Falls, WI | $29,685 | $14,054 | $8,472 | 81.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing and ranks 60th on this list, with an average net price of $14,054. | |||||
| 61 | Truman State University · Kirksville, MO | $28,236 | $12,780 | $6,046 | 83.8% |
| Truman State University reports median earnings of $28,236 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, with 6 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 62 | Knox College · Galesburg, IL | $27,439 | $24,595 | $17,134 | 70.8% |
| Knox College, a private nonprofit institution in Galesburg, admits 71% of applicants and shows an average net price of $24,595. | |||||
| 63 | University of South Dakota · Vermillion, SD | $24,730 | $19,858 | $14,921 | 98.8% |
| With an admission rate of 99%, University of South Dakota ranks 63rd on this list and posts median earnings of $24,730 four years after completing. | |||||
| 64 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, ND | $24,267 | $15,543 | $9,370 | 95.0% |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus sits at 367th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $15,543. | |||||
| 65 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse · La Crosse, WI | $23,456 | $16,210 | $8,224 | 75.5% |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse shows median earnings of $23,456 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $8,224 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 66 | Oberlin College · Oberlin, OH | $22,771 | $38,645 | $18,774 | 34.2% |
| Oberlin College admits 34% of applicants and reports median earnings of $22,771 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 67 | University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS | $22,192 | $18,059 | $12,544 | 93.5% |
| University of Kansas ranks 183rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $18,059 and 24 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 68 | Bradley University · Peoria, IL | $21,964 | $22,719 | $17,269 | 76.8% |
| Bradley University reports median earnings of $21,964 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $17,269 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 69 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota · Winona, MN | $21,052 | $11,704 | $16,182 | 92.8% |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota admits 93% of applicants and sits at 534th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 70 | Marquette University · Milwaukee, WI | $20,824 | $31,487 | $22,269 | 81.3% |
| Marquette University ranks 70th on this list, with median earnings of $20,824 four years after completing and an average net price of $31,487. | |||||
| 71 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $20,140 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
| Grand Valley State University reports an average net price of $12,272 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $20,140 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 72 | Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN | $20,140 | $10,873 | $6,455 | 80.8% |
| Indiana State University shows an average net price of $10,873 and ranks 317th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 73 | Carthage College · Kenosha, WI | $19,227 | $26,565 | $23,293 | 87.1% |
| Carthage College admits 87% of applicants and reports an average net price of $26,565. | |||||
| 74 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $17,481 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
| Northern Michigan University, a public university in Marquette, shows median earnings of $17,481 for its Drama and Theatre Arts graduates 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 the Midwest appear. The earnings figures come from federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 17 of the 74 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. University of Notre Dame leads with $64,880, a gap of $9,930 above Drake University at $54,950.
Related rankings
- Best Colleges in the Midwest
- Best Art & Design Colleges in the Midwest
- Art & Design Colleges in the Midwest for Social Mobility