Finding the Best Theatre College Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

For aspiring actors, singers, dancers, and theatre professionals, selecting the right college program is a crucial step toward a successful career. The world of performing arts colleges can seem daunting, filled with competitive auditions and high expectations. However, with careful research and preparation, students can find the perfect fit to nurture their talents and achieve their dreams. This guide explores what makes a performing arts college great, discusses non-competitive options, addresses the challenges of getting into these programs, and highlights some of the best theatre programs available.

What Makes a Performing Arts College "Great"?

A great performing arts college goes beyond just having a stage and a sound system. It's a place where passion, creativity, and individuality are celebrated. Key elements that define a top-notch performing arts college include:

Top-Notch Faculty: Instructors are often industry professionals, offering invaluable real-world experience and insights. Learning from those who have worked with the best can significantly enhance a student's skills and understanding of the performing arts world.
Robust Networking Opportunities: A strong network is essential for career advancement in the performing arts. Colleges that facilitate connections with industry professionals, alumni, and potential employers provide a significant advantage to their students.
Outstanding Facilities: State-of-the-art rehearsal spaces, theaters, and sound stages are crucial for providing students with a professional-level training environment. High-quality facilities allow students to hone their craft in realistic and inspiring settings.

Non-Competitive Performing Arts Colleges: A Relaxed Yet Excellent Option

While some performing arts schools are highly competitive, others offer excellent programs in a more relaxed atmosphere. These colleges allow students to focus on their craft without the intense pressure of constant auditions. Some top non-competitive options include:

University of Arizona: Known for a great performance program with a less cutthroat environment, allowing students to concentrate on their development without excessive pressure.
University of Southern California (USC): While still competitive, USC offers a relaxed atmosphere for creative individuals, valuing artistic expression over strict academic metrics.
University of Miami: Combines a laid-back vibe with top-tier arts programs, making it an attractive option for those who want to perform in a supportive and enjoyable environment.

It's important to remember that "non-competitive" doesn't mean low standards. These schools still maintain high expectations for their students but prioritize a nurturing and collaborative learning environment.

The Challenge of Getting Into Performing Arts Colleges

Gaining admission to a performing arts college can be more challenging than getting into a traditional college. Performing arts colleges often have a two-step admission process: one for the school itself and another for the specific program.

Pros of Attending a Performing Arts College:

Specialized Programs: Focused curricula taught by professors who are experts in their fields.
High Level of Competition: A motivating environment that pushes students to excel.
In-Depth Training: Immersive programs dedicated solely to the performing arts.

Cons of Attending a Performing Arts College:

Fierce Competition: Requires a high level of skill, dedication, and resilience.
High Stress Levels: The pressure of constant auditions and performances can be intense.

Regular Colleges with Great Performing Arts Programs: The Best of Both Worlds

For students seeking a broader academic experience alongside their performing arts studies, regular colleges with strong performing arts programs offer an appealing alternative. These institutions provide the flexibility of a non-specialized degree while still allowing students to major in a performing arts discipline.

Top Picks for Regular Colleges with Great Performing Arts Programs:

New York University (NYU): Home to the renowned Tisch School of the Arts, NYU offers a highly competitive but rewarding environment in the heart of New York City.
Indiana University Bloomington: Features a fantastic theater and dance program with a strong sense of community.
Boston University: Provides flexibility to pursue both performing arts and academic interests, offering a well-rounded educational experience.

These colleges provide a vibrant artistic atmosphere and access to cultural hubs, enhancing the overall learning experience.

Steps to Becoming a Performing Arts Pro

The journey to becoming a performing arts professional involves several key steps:

Find Your Passion: Identify your specific talents and interests within the performing arts.
Research Schools: Look for programs that align with your strengths and career goals.
Practice Diligently: Refine your skills through formal training and consistent practice.
Prepare for Auditions: Practice your audition pieces and present yourself confidently.

Top Performing and Theatre Arts Colleges

Here’s a look at some of the best institutions offering comprehensive training in the dramatic arts:

New York University (NYU): Offers 270 areas of undergraduate study across nine schools. A commendable 59% of classes have an enrollment under 20 students. Within six months of exiting, 94% of Class of 2023 grads had landed at their next destination, with 71% employed and 26% in graduate school. The mean starting salary is $76,011.
Northwestern University: The quarter system allows students to take four courses at a time rather than the typical five. The university has a phenomenal 6:1 student-faculty ratio, and a spectacular 39% of class sections have nine or fewer students enrolled; 76% have fewer than twenty enrollees. Six months after graduating, 70% of the Class of 2023 had found employment and 25% were in graduate school. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $77k.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Close to half of classrooms contain fewer than twenty Bruins. 93% of College of Letters and Science seniors rate their professors as being intellectually challenging. By the time they graduate, 45% of undergraduates have participated in a research experience. For graduates early in their careers, the median salary is $78,600, with mid-career median earnings reaching over $149k.
University of California, San Diego (UCSD): While 26% of course sections are held in larger lecture halls and contain 50+ students, 42% of undergraduate courses sport an enrollment under 20. The median early career salary is $70,000 across all majors, placing the university in the top 10 public universities in the country.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU): CMU boasts a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, with roughly one-third containing single digits and 68% having an enrollment of nineteen or fewer. By the end of the calendar year in which they received their diplomas, 74% of recent grads were employed, and 17% were continuing to graduate school.
University of Notre Dame: Aided by a favorable 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the school does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities. 93% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The median salary across all majors is an astounding $85k.
Florida State University (FSU): The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation.
The Juilliard School: Offers an unparalleled conservatory experience with an extraordinary 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring intensive mentorship from world-renowned artists.
Yale University: Over 70% of classes have an enrollment of fewer than 20 students, making Yale a perfect environment for teaching and learning. The mean starting salary for last year’s grads was $89,622 ($141k for CS majors).
Columbia University: Class sizes at Columbia are reasonably small and the student-to-faculty ratio is favorable. Those moving on to graduate/professional school were welcomed in large numbers into other universities of Columbia’s ilk.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA): As America’s first public arts conservatory, this institution offers an exceptionally intensive training environment with a remarkable 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Southern Methodist University (SMU): Thanks in part to an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 55% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. On graduation day, over 88% of recent grads already had their first jobs or graduate school destinations in hand. In 2023, the average starting salary was $90k across all majors ($99k for Cox School of Business grads).
SUNY Purchase College: True to its liberal arts mission, 72% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students, supported by an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 18.
Brown University: Class sizes tend to be small-67% have fewer than twenty students-and 32% are comprised of nine or fewer students.
University of Michigan: Michigan sports a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 18% of classes contain 50 or more students, but a solid 53% of classes offer a more intimate experience with fewer than 20 students. The median salary across all majors is approximately 70k.
University of California, Irvine (UCI): 54% of all sections enroll 19 or fewer students and over 70% of students participate in undergraduate research. The median salary is $70,000, with School of Information and Computer Sciences grads earning $117k right off the bat.
Muhlenberg College: With an exceptional 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of just 15 students, Muhlenberg College offers one of the most personalized undergraduate experiences among national universities. This intimate learning environment shines in the classroom-81% of courses enroll 19 or fewer students.

Other Notable Institutions:

Marymount Manhattan College
University of the Arts
Manhattan School of Music
Roosevelt University
The New School
Cornish College of the Arts
Syracuse University
Emerson College
Ithaca College
Pace University
Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts
SUNY New Paltz
University of California, Irvine (UCI)
University of Texas at Austin
University of Washington
Vassar College
SUNY at Fredonia
Young Harris College
Manhattanville University
Ohio University-Main Campus
Point Park University
Creighton University
The University of Tampa
Lipscomb University
The University at Buffalo
Taylor University
Pace University
The University of Iowa
North Central College
University of Arizona
Ouachita Baptist University
Western Michigan University
College of the Ozarks
Lycoming College
Loyola University New Orleans
California State University-Chico
Carroll University
Elmhurst University
Central Michigan University
The University of Central Oklahoma
Texas State University
Aurora University
Rhode Island College
Brenau University
Lees-McRae College
Southern Utah University
Friends University
Coker University
Eastern Michigan University
Vermont State University
Weber State University

The Rise of Performing Arts: Why Now is the Time

There has never been a better time to major in the performing/theatrical arts than right now. The quantity of content and attention on equity are the two most prominent reasons. With more ways to consume entertainment than ever, the opportunities to work in the industry have increased dramatically. Beyond the performing realm, this is an exciting time for design and technology as new methods are being explored for both theatre and film which college students are being trained on which will give them an advantage entering the workforce after graduation.

Read also: High School Diploma Jobs

There is great awareness to make sure casts and crews have a greater representation of gender, race, body type, etc. While we’re not living in a perfect world just yet, there has been some great progress made that gives college students today a better advantage of finding work than ever before.

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