25 Most Popular Colleges for Drama & Theater Arts Doctor’s Degree Programs
In 2017-2018, 89 students received their doctor’s degree in drama and theater arts from an American university. Ranked in order of popularity, here are the colleges with the largest programs in the field:
With 10 doctor’s degrees handed out in 2017-2018, Northwestern University is the most popular college in the country for drama and theater arts degree-seekers.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending Northwestern U.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$52,239 |
$52,239 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$440 |
$440 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$6,195 |
$6,195 |
In a typical year, there are 1,169 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 655 were classified as teaching assistants, and 514 were classified as research assistants.
UMCP is ranked #2 on our list due to it handing out doctor's degrees in theater to 9 students in 2017-2018. UMCP also ranks #2 in popularity in Maryland for students seeking a theater degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending UMCP.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$12,294 |
$26,532 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,590 |
$1,590 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$683 |
$1,474 |
In 2017-2018, UMCP reported having 4,109 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 2,929 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,180 were classified as research assistants.
NYU awarded 7 doctor's degrees in theater in 2017-2018. This makes the school the third most popular in the country for the field. NYU also ranks #3 in popularity in New York for students seeking a theater degree.
Graduate students at NYU can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$41,352 |
$41,352 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,496 |
$2,496 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,723 |
$1,723 |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 812. Of that number, 27 were classified as teaching assistants, and 389 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
In 2017-2018, 7 students at The Graduate Center earned doctor's degrees in theater. This makes the college rank #3 on our list. The Graduate Center also ranks #3 in popularity in New York for students seeking a theater degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at The Graduate Center.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$9,350 |
$21,720 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$480 |
$480 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$530 |
$905 |
Across all programs, there were 1,210 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 1,210 were classified as teaching assistants, and 0 were classified as research assistants.
Doctorates in theater were awarded to 5 students at Stanford in 2017-2018. This puts the school in the #5 spot on our list. Stanford also ranks #5 in popularity in California for students seeking a theater degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending Stanford.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$48,987 |
$48,987 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$630 |
$630 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,089 |
$1,089 |
There were 3,422 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 1,114 were classified as teaching assistants, and 2,308 were classified as research assistants.
About 4 students earned doctor's degrees in drama and theater arts at Arizona State University - Tempe in 2017-2018, making the school the 6th most popular in the nation. ASU - Tempe also ranks #6 in popularity in Arizona for students seeking a theater degree.
Graduate students at ASU - Tempe can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,240 |
$24,320 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$698 |
$698 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$784 |
$1,216 |
The school reported having 3,360 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 2,350 were classified as teaching assistants, and 982 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
The #6 spot on our list belongs to UC Davis for handing out 4 doctor's degrees in theater in 2017-2018. UC Davis also ranks #6 in popularity in California for students seeking a theater degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending UC Davis.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,502 |
$26,604 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,105 |
$2,105 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
In a typical year, there are 4,247 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 2,253 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,289 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
UCSB earned the #6 spot on our list by awarding doctor's degrees to 4 theater majors in 2017-2018. UCSB also ranks #6 in popularity in California for students seeking a theater degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending UCSB.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,502 |
$26,604 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,067 |
$2,067 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
Across all programs, there were 2,045 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 1,409 were classified as teaching assistants, and 636 were classified as research assistants.
At Yale, 3 doctorates were awarded in 2017-2018 in theater, which makes the school come in at #9 on our list. Yale also ranks #9 in popularity in Connecticut for students seeking a theater degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at Yale.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$41,000 |
$41,000 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
In 2017-2018, Yale reported having 3,081 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 1,447 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,485 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Brown is the #9 most popular school for theater. It handed out 3 doctor's degrees in the field in 2017-2018. Brown also ranks #9 in popularity in Rhode Island for students seeking a theater degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending Brown.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$52,231 |
$52,231 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$974 |
$974 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,632 |
$1,632 |
There were 909 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 465 were classified as teaching assistants, and 444 were classified as research assistants.
Cornell awarded 3 doctor's degrees in theater in 2017-2018. This makes the school the 9th most popular in the country for the field. Cornell also ranks #9 in popularity in New York for students seeking a theater degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at Cornell.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$29,500 |
$29,500 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$85 |
$85 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,410 |
$1,410 |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 2,579. Of that number, 1,486 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,093 were classified as research assistants.
About 3 students earned doctor's degrees in drama and theater arts at Columbia University in the City of New York in 2017-2018, making the school the 9th most popular in the nation. Columbia also ranks #9 in popularity in New York for students seeking a theater degree.
Graduate students at Columbia can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$44,864 |
$44,864 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,092 |
$2,092 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,704 |
$1,704 |
The school reported having 2,805 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 1,869 were classified as teaching assistants, and 936 were classified as research assistants.
Wisconsin is the #9 most popular school for theater. It handed out 3 doctor's degrees in the field in 2017-2018. Wisconsin also ranks #9 in popularity in Wisconsin for students seeking a theater degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending Wisconsin.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$10,728 |
$24,054 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,260 |
$1,260 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$670 |
$1,503 |
Across all programs, there were 5,003 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 2,223 were classified as teaching assistants, and 2,666 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Doctorates in theater were awarded to 3 students at Mizzou in 2017-2018. This puts the school in the #9 spot on our list. Mizzou also ranks #9 in popularity in Missouri for students seeking a theater degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending Mizzou.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$8,640 |
$23,659 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,188 |
$1,188 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$360 |
$986 |
In a typical year, there are 2,214 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 1,024 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,080 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
At Tufts, 2 doctorates were awarded in 2017-2018 in theater, which makes the school come in at #15 on our list. Tufts also ranks #15 in popularity in Massachusetts for students seeking a theater degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending Tufts.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$49,892 |
$49,892 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$874 |
$874 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,248 |
$1,248 |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 1,125. Of that number, 401 were classified as teaching assistants, and 711 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Ohio State is ranked #15 on our list due to it handing out doctor's degrees in theater to 2 students in 2017-2018. Ohio State also ranks #15 in popularity in Ohio for students seeking a theater degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending Ohio State.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,560 |
$33,032 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$865 |
$865 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$723 |
$2,065 |
In 2017-2018, Ohio State reported having 4,229 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 2,035 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,903 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
The #15 spot on our list belongs to Florida State for handing out 2 doctor's degrees in theater in 2017-2018. Florida State also ranks #15 in popularity in Florida for students seeking a theater degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending Florida State.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$9,684 |
$24,116 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,869 |
$2,591 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$482 |
$1,114 |
There were 3,021 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 1,774 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,236 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
UT Austin earned the #15 spot on our list by awarding doctor's degrees to 2 theater majors in 2017-2018. UT Austin also ranks #15 in popularity in Texas for students seeking a theater degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at UT Austin.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,490 |
$22,178 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$637 |
$1,169 |
The school reported having 5,079 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 2,967 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,864 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
In 2017-2018, 2 students at Louisiana State University earned doctor's degrees in theater. This makes the college rank #15 on our list. Louisiana State University also ranks #15 in popularity in Louisiana for students seeking a theater degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending Louisiana State University.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$9,132 |
$9,132 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$3,315 |
$20,250 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$515 |
$1,166 |
In 2017-2018, Louisiana State University reported having 2,163 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 888 were classified as teaching assistants, and 896 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
About 1 students earned doctor's degrees in drama and theater arts at Indiana University - Bloomington in 2017-2018, making the school the 20th most popular in the nation. IU Bloomington also ranks #20 in popularity in Indiana for students seeking a theater degree.
Graduate students at IU Bloomington can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$8,956 |
$30,125 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,323 |
$1,323 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$373 |
$1,255 |
Across all programs, there were 2,613 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 1,666 were classified as teaching assistants, and 947 were classified as research assistants.
UCLA earned the #20 spot on our list by awarding doctor's degrees to 1 theater majors in 2017-2018. UCLA also ranks #20 in popularity in California for students seeking a theater degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending UCLA.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,502 |
$26,604 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,501 |
$1,501 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 5,296. Of that number, 2,638 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,303 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
The #20 spot on our list belongs to CU - Boulder for handing out 1 doctor's degrees in theater in 2017-2018. CU - Boulder also ranks #20 in popularity in Colorado for students seeking a theater degree.
Graduate students at CU - Boulder can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,160 |
$29,502 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,838 |
$1,838 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$620 |
$1,639 |
In a typical year, there are 2,669 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 1,420 were classified as teaching assistants, and 0 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
At UIUC, 1 doctorates were awarded in 2017-2018 in theater, which makes the school come in at #20 on our list. UIUC also ranks #20 in popularity in Illinois for students seeking a theater degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending UIUC.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$15,186 |
$28,773 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$3,038 |
$3,038 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$552 |
$1,025 |
The school reported having 5,627 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 2,786 were classified as teaching assistants, and 2,583 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Doctorates in theater were awarded to 1 students at UHM in 2017-2018. This puts the school in the #20 spot on our list. UHM also ranks #20 in popularity in Hawaii for students seeking a theater degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at UHM.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$15,288 |
$36,768 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$902 |
$902 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$637 |
$1,532 |
There were 1,236 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 598 were classified as teaching assistants, and 638 were classified as research assistants.
UC Irvine is ranked #20 on our list due to it handing out doctor's degrees in theater to 1 students in 2017-2018. UC Irvine also ranks #20 in popularity in California for students seeking a theater degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending UC Irvine.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,502 |
$26,604 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,898 |
$1,898 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
Across all programs, there were 3,119 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 1,685 were classified as teaching assistants, and 737 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
In 2017-2018, 1 students at UGA earned doctor's degrees in theater. This makes the college rank #20 on our list. UGA also ranks #20 in popularity in Georgia for students seeking a theater degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending UGA.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$8,704 |
$24,692 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,266 |
$2,266 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$363 |
$1,029 |
There were 3,468 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 935 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,500 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
BGSU awarded 1 doctor's degrees in theater in 2017-2018. This makes the school the 20th most popular in the country for the field. BGSU also ranks #20 in popularity in Ohio for students seeking a theater degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at BGSU.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$7,821 |
$13,473 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,787 |
$1,787 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$435 |
$749 |
In 2017-2018, BGSU reported having 1,066 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 707 were classified as teaching assistants, and 348 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
UO is the #20 most popular school for theater. It handed out 1 doctor's degrees in the field in 2017-2018. UO also ranks #20 in popularity in Oregon for students seeking a theater degree.
Graduate students at UO can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$14,526 |
$25,515 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,076 |
$2,076 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$538 |
$945 |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 1,408. Of that number, 1,048 were classified as teaching assistants, and 267 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Doctorates in theater were awarded to 1 students at Pitt in 2017-2018. This puts the school in the #20 spot on our list. Pitt also ranks #20 in popularity in Pennsylvania for students seeking a theater degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending Pitt.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$22,290 |
$36,980 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$850 |
$850 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$898 |
$1,512 |
In a typical year, there are 1,932 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 1,036 were classified as teaching assistants, and 896 were classified as research assistants.
KU is ranked #20 on our list due to it handing out doctor's degrees in theater to 1 students in 2017-2018. KU also ranks #20 in popularity in Kansas for students seeking a theater degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending KU.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$9,716 |
$22,730 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$988 |
$988 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$405 |
$947 |
The school reported having 1,978 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 1,140 were classified as teaching assistants, and 838 were classified as research assistants.
A note on these rankings: The colleges above are ranked by the number of graduates in the program meaning the largest programs are at the top. While program popularity does not necessarily indicate quality, it does mean that many students are successfully graduating from the program, thus, making them worthwhile programs to consider.
References
National Center for Education Statistics
Image Credit: By Donald Judge under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
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