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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:

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Northwestern University
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.

#2

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Maryland - College Park
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.

#3

New York University

New York, New York

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at New York University
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at CUNY Graduate School and University 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.

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Stanford University
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Arizona State University - Tempe
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.

#6

University of California - Davis

Davis, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of California - 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.

#6

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of California - Santa Barbara
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.

#9

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Yale University
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.

#9

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Brown University
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.

#9

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Cornell University
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Columbia University in the City of New York
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.

#9

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison
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.

#9

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Missouri - Columbia
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.

#15

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Tufts University
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus
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.

#15

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Florida State University
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at The University of Texas at 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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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.

#20

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Indiana University - Bloomington
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.

#20

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of California - Los Angeles
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.

#20

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Colorado Boulder
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign
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.

#20

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa
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.

#20

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of California - 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.

#20

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Georgia
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
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.

#20

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Oregon
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.

#20

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
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.

#20

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Kansas
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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