Best Theater Bachelor's Degree Programs

1. Columbia College Chicago

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27756	90%	50%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

2. SUNY Oneonta

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8740	56%	76%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

3. State University of New York at New Paltz

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8502	45%	77%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

4. Virginia Commonwealth University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14596	87%	67%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

5. California State University-Long Beach

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6834	39%	74%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

6. College of Charleston

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12939	78%	66%	83%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

7. Fitchburg State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10505	88%	58%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

8. Appalachian State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7409	77%	73%	70%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

9. Montclair State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13073	76%	67%	83%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

10. Ramapo College of New Jersey

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14678	66%	72%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

11. Middle Tennessee State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9070	94%	47%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

12. California State University-Chico

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7806	72%	67%	76%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

13. University of Oregon

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12720	82%	74%	77%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

14. Western Washington University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8343	90%	68%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

15. San Francisco State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7266	67%	57%	77%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

16. James Madison University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12206	77%	84%	62%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

17. Humboldt State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7864	92%	49%	83%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

18. Salem State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11284	86%	57%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

19. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8270	85%	60%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

20. Christopher Newport University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14924	72%	78%	75%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

21. University of Mary Washington

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13270	75%	65%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

22. Towson University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10198	76%	71%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

23. Longwood University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13520	90%	66%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

24. Southern Oregon University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10479	78%	46%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

25. Indiana University-Bloomington

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10947	78%	79%	84%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

26. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7403	82%	59%	88%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

27. Radford University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11350	75%	55%	88%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

28. Brigham Young University-Provo

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$5790	67%	78%	71%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

29. California State University-Channel Islands

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6802	86%	54%	83%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

30. San Jose State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7852	64%	64%	73%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

31. Western Connecticut State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11344	76%	52%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

32. SUNY College at Oswego

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8717	54%	67%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

33. California State University-Fullerton

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6924	53%	69%	77%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

34. Iowa State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9320	92%	74%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

35. University of Utah

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8615	62%	70%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

36. Arizona State University-Tempe

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11338	86%	63%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

37. University of North Texas

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11044	74%	56%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

38. University of California-Santa Cruz

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13991	51%	75%	70%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

39. Western Carolina University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$4277	69%	62%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

40. University of Iowa

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9606	83%	72%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

41. Portland State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7872	96%	48%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

42. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9063	80%	70%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

43. CUNY City College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7340	46%	56%	87%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

44. Sonoma State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7880	91%	62%	71%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

45. University of Northern Colorado

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9987	91%	52%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

46. University of Wyoming

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$4747	96%	60%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

47. Georgia College & State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9530	80%	64%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

48. Miami University-Oxford

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15193	80%	81%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

49. Westfield State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10849	87%	61%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

50. Kent State University at Kent

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10602	86%	62%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Since there are so many professions involved in a theater production, there are all sorts of theater degree programs to reflect that diversity. There are programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and include options like Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Master of Arts degrees.

A general theater degree, also known as a performing arts degree, will provide an overview of all of the roles involved in a production. Some degree programs narrow in on one particular category, allowing you to specialize in the skillset of your preference. This may be achieved through certificates or by declaring a special major.

Associate Degrees in Theater

When selecting an associate degree in theater program, it is useful to consider your preferred specialty, and whether you prefer technical subjects or the humanities. Many of the theater programs at the associate level are offered as both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science program, so you can choose the version that fits your interests. Common associate degree programs include those in acting, directing, general theater or performing arts, musical theater, performance, or technical theater or theater technology. These associate degrees will also prepare you for coursework at the baccalaureate level.

Bachelor's Degrees in Theater

At the baccalaureate level, theater degree programs are offered in a range of focuses. You can pursue a generalized theater degree and dabble in all sorts of fields. You can earn choose a specialization within a generalized theater degree program, or you can select a more specialized major that will allow you to focus on the discipline of your choice. Examples of specialized bachelor's degree programs in theater include:

• Acting
• Arts administration or management
• Dance
• Design and production
• Theater technology
• Directing and management
• Playwriting
• Stage management

In these programs, you will take a variety of classes that focus on theater techniques, as well as get practical experience by producing shows.

Master's Degrees in Theater

Education programs theater are also available at the master's level, where they offer deeper insight into the social, cultural, and historical context of theater. A master's degree in theater involves broad training in the various theater disciplines and provides critical context for the lessons learned. A master's degree in applied theater arts, meanwhile, encourages students to consider how theater can be applied in communities and innovative or unexpected settings. You can also select a more specialized master's program, such as acting, which will strengthen your acting skills, or design disciplines. These include costume design, lighting design, and scenic design, and they can teach how to envision, construct, and execute your plan for these important theatrical elements. They may be offered as independent master's programs or as a combined design program depending on the school.

Doctoral Degrees in Theater

At the doctoral level, theater programs will build on the education already received to provide deep, thorough knowledge of the disciplines involved in the performing arts. A PhD in Theater will cover all the bases, increasing competency in both research and theater skills. A doctoral degree in dance or performance offer rigorous training in their respective fields. You can also pursue graduate programs that explore the rhetorical and theoretical elements of theater. With a PhD in Theater History, you'll have in-depth lessons on both the history of theater, and the theories and rhetoric that apply to it. These types of programs will generally include seminars, coursework, and extensive research or a dissertation.

Certificates in Theater

Theater certificates are a great way to demonstrate a specialty in a particular skillset or discipline, and you may pursue them as a component within your bachelor's degree, or as a standalone program in addition to traditional undergraduate courses. Some examples of theater certificates include costume design and construction, lighting design, stage management, acting, community engagement, and more.

Some bachelor's degree programs in theater offer the ability to choose a concentration area. Some common concentrations in BA and BFA in Theater degrees are:

• Acting - stage and screen
• Design and technology
• Directing or stage management
• Production
• Writing
• Musical theater

Most theater programs are in the liberal arts division of their schools, so their curriculum includes general education courses alongside major-specific courses to ensure well-rounded students who meet the standards of the institution. The courses required for a theater major will vary depending on the presence of absence of any specialties, but some common course topics include:

• History and criticism of the performing arts
• Directing
• Acting foundations
• Set design and construction
• Costume design and construction
• Lighting and sound

A theater bachelor's degree is completed by earning about 120 academic credits, which generally translates to four years of full-time study. This allows you to participate in a number of student productions and take a variety of necessary courses. If you earn an associate degree in theater before enrolling in a bachelor's degree, you may be able to transfer credits and thus shorten the time it takes to earn your bachelor's degree. This can also be achieved by overloading on credits or taking courses during interim semesters if your school permits it. If you study as a part-time student, it will take additional semesters to earn the required number of courses.

With so many options to choose from, finding the right theater program for you can feel like a daunting task. First, try to think about what you would like to do. Is there a specific discipline that you would like to focus on, like costume design or directing? If you don't have a focus in mind, a general theater or performing arts program would be a good option. If you do have a preferred specialization, then consider how narrow you want your focus to be. For example, if you are confident that this specialization is your favorite thing, and you want to fully immerse yourself in it, then you should look for schools that offer it as a specialized major. If, however, you want to highlight your specialization but still get some general knowledge about other theater niches, then a general theater degree that offers a concentration in your chosen niche may be right for you.

Once you know exactly what degree you're looking for, you can start to compare schools that have it. When considering a school for theater, there are two important factors to consider. First, is the institution's theater program accredited? Second, how are their shows? Attend their productions if possible; this will give you direct insight into the quality of their program, since most schools offer practical classes that allow students to work on these shows.

Consider also the environment of the institution as a whole. Information like population size, average class size, campus culture, and other similar factors will influence your experience at the school. The best theater program for you will be one at a college that matches your ideal standards for a campus and offers a quality theater program that allows you to specialize as much or as little as you would like.

Accreditation ensures that a school or program consistently meets the expectations set forth by the accrediting agency and ensures adherence to evolving standards which foster a quality, cutting-edge education. The accrediting agency for theater programs is the National Association of School of Theater (NAST). The process to earn accreditation includes internal study of the program by the college or university itself, an on-site visit by representatives of NAST, and the actions and dialogue of a review commission. In order to maintain that status, the school must remain compliant with NAST standards and get all curriculum changes approved to ensure that the proposed changes match those expectations. This ensures exposure to contemporary information in a constantly evolving field.

There are no licenses or certifications required for theater careers. Earning a formal education helps strengthen your skills and knowledge, so a degree can be useful when seeking employment. But there is no standardized or expected license that is required in order to participate in theater productions.

There are numerous professional organizations and unions relating to theater. Some are for actors, some are for dancers, others are for scene creators, and some are generalized for all theater professions. These organizations exist on the national level and sometimes on the state level. For example, directors can join the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). The SDC has members working all the way from local productions to Broadway shows. As a union, they do collect fees and dues, but they have two tiers of membership, so there are options that may reduce cost. To quality for full membership, you must have proof of paid work as a director at qualifying companies.

Another example of a professional organization in the theater field is the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA). They offer networking opportunities as well as options for professional development, such as an email newsletter, weekend seminars, and an annual conference. Anyone who publishes reviews and critical essays about theater on a regular basis is eligible for membership.

There are numerous career options for holders of a BA or BFA in Theater degree and other related degrees, such as a bachelor's in musical theater degree . You can be a writer, set designer, costume designer, lighting technician, sound technician, director, choreographer, actor, dancer, stage manager, theater manager, or theater critic. You could apply your theater training to other fields, such as teaching or therapy (though these may require additional training and licensure).

How to Become Theater Director

A theater director is the person who oversees the entire production and guides the process to achieve their vision. They will work with the technical team on decisions such as lighting, sound, costume design, and scenery, and they give directions to the actors regarding movement and expression. They are a leader, and will conduct rehearsals, working closely with the stage manager to stay on target and maintain organization.

To seek a position as a theater director, you'll need both education and experience. Earning a bachelor's degree in directing or a theater degree with a directing concentration is a great place to start. The institution may offer experiential learning, but you should seek additional opportunities doing directing work, whether that be an internship or volunteering. Educational and experience together will make you a strong applicant. You can also consider joining a professional organization such as SDC to make connections and access resources.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for all producers directors was $74,420 per year as of 2019. The skills required for theater directing can also be applied to movies and television, which are increasing industries, so job prospects for directors as a whole are trending in a positive way. The states with the highest salaries for directors are California, New York, D.C., Connecticut, and New Jersey.

How to Become a Theater Critic

A theater critic submits essays to newspapers, magazines, website, or broadcast stations with reviews and critiques of live theater performances. Often working as freelancers, they may establish a relationship with a particular publication and become a regular contributor or columnist. It is their job to attend a performance and analyze it, taking into account the technical and artistic execution as well as the literary and social context of the show. Successful theater critics are able to analyze shows, apply knowledge, write clearly, manage multiple simultaneous projects, and follow through on the publication process.

When freelancing, you have the ability to dictate your work environment. A theater degree that covered script analysis, critical theory relating to the performing arts, and technical knowledge about the production of shows are a strong foundation for work as a critic. According to the BLS, the median pay for all authors and writers (including critics) was $63,200 per year in 2019. The areas with the highest wages for writers at that time were D.C., New York, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey. However, job prospects for writers are expected to decline, as more and more publications have to downsize or consolidate.

The most important precursor to receiving financial aid and scholarships is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will match you with the federal grants and loans that are available to you. Your school may offer additional aid as well.

There are also some scholarship and grant options available to students in theater programs. Many of these are set up as memorial funds. Some of these memorial funds are offered as annual awards, but many of them are one-time gifts, so it is worth researching new scholarships every year during which you are enrolled. There are, for example, a group of scholarships offered by The Educational Theater Association, including the Christopher L. Hunt Scholarship and the Educational Theater Association Board of Directors Scholarship, both of which are $1,000. You may also be able to find scholarships offered for your identity or program. For instance, The Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship offers $1,000 for an Asian-American college student enrolled in a program such as the performing arts.