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Best Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Schools in California

California has 28 colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,127 recent graduates. Graduates earn $22,421 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $22,828.

School choice matters significantly: University of California-Berkeley graduates earn $31,839 while California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates earn $11,434 — a $20,405 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

28
Schools in CA
$22,421
CA Avg. Earnings
$22,828
National Avg.
296
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in California

Public Schools (19)
$21,762
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (8)
$24,064
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,302 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$31,839
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,067
Graduates: 23
Acceptance: 11.7%
#2
S

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$31,839
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 94.7%
#3
L

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$28,598
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,556
Graduates: 91
Acceptance: 40.3%
#4
V

Vanguard University of Southern California

Costa Mesa, CA · Private

$28,019
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 64.7%
#5
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$26,187
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,076
Graduates: 63
Acceptance: 8.7%
#6
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$25,967
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $19,321
Graduates: 32
Acceptance: 24.5%
#7
C

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 73.6%
#8
S

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,049
Graduates: 61
Acceptance: 96.2%
#9
C

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

$24,035
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,756
Graduates: 72
Acceptance: 55.6%
#10
C

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$23,803
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,021
Graduates: 81
Acceptance: 86.7%
#11
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$23,649
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 29.8%
#12
S

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$23,649
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 43.8%
#13
C

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA · Private

$22,420
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,555
Graduates: 50
Acceptance: 25.9%
#14
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$22,192
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,981
Graduates: 162
Acceptance: 10.0%
#15
A

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA ·

$21,781
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $18,335
Graduates: 31
Acceptance: N/A
#16
U

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 63.3%
#17
U

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,656
Graduates: 39
Acceptance: 27.8%
#18
U

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$21,166
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,333
Graduates: 26
Acceptance: 62.5%
#19
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$20,687
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,006
Graduates: 27
Acceptance: 41.6%
#20
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$19,929
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,025
Graduates: 96
Acceptance: 47.1%
#21
C

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$19,683
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,412
Graduates: 68
Acceptance: 93.2%
#22
U

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$19,455
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,367
Graduates: 72
Acceptance: 25.6%
#23
C

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$19,227
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $18,404
Graduates: 17
Acceptance: 93.6%
#24
P

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private

$18,401
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,856
Graduates: 26
Acceptance: 49.9%
#25
C

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$18,315
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,079
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 98.3%
#26
C

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$17,470
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 98.8%
#27
C

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$14,627
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,044
Graduates: 36
Acceptance: 91.9%
#28
C

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$11,434
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,010
Graduates: 25
Acceptance: 73.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in California?
University of California-Berkeley ranks #1 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in California with median graduate earnings of $31,839 within two years of graduation. There are 28 schools offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in the state.
How much do Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn in California?
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates in California earn an average of $22,421 within two years of graduation. This is 2% below the national average of $22,828 for this major.
What is the hardest Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft school to get into in California?
University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in the state is 56.8%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in California?
In California, private Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs produce average earnings of $24,064 vs $21,762 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 19 public and 8 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889
All colleges in California →

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in Other States

New York Texas Illinois Ohio Michigan Pennsylvania Georgia North Carolina Wisconsin Florida Missouri Virginia View All →

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.