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CIP 50.0509 Visual and Performing Arts

Musical Theatre

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

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Total graduates

1,193

2025 · 116 schools

International share

4.9%

59 international students

Bachelor's degrees

1,166

4.9% international

Master's degrees

8

0.0% international

Overview

Musical Theatre is a vibrant and dynamic field that blends various forms of performing arts, including acting, singing, and dancing, to tell compelling stories through music and movement. This discipline is rooted in the rich traditions of both theatre and music, offering students a comprehensive education that equips them with the necessary skills to excel in live performances.

Programs in Musical Theatre typically cover a wide range of subjects, including voice training, dance techniques, acting methods, and script analysis. Students learn to interpret musical scores, develop characterizations, and master stage presence, which are essential for captivating audiences. Additionally, they often engage in practical experiences through workshops, performances, and collaborations with industry professionals.

Musical Theatre has a significant cultural impact, often reflecting societal issues and human experiences through its narratives. With the rise of popular productions on Broadway and beyond, there is increasing demand for talented performers who can navigate the complexities of this art form. Graduates from Musical Theatre programs often pursue careers as actors, singers, choreographers, directors, and educators in various entertainment sectors, including theatre, film, and television.

Moreover, the skills gained in Musical Theatre—such as teamwork, creativity, and communication—are highly transferable, making graduates valuable in numerous fields beyond the performing arts. As a result, studying Musical Theatre not only prepares students for a career in the arts but also fosters personal growth and resilience through the transformative power of performance.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 582% and the international share went from 2.3% to 4.9%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
59.7%
Asian
2.4%
Hispanic
12.8%
Black
10.3%
Other
9.8%
Intl.
4.9%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 116 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#25 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Michigan 21 2
#27 University of Southern California California 9 0
#34 University of California-Irvine California 11 0
#72 Syracuse University New York 28 1
#73 Indiana University-Bloomington Indiana 10 1
#73 Binghamton University New York 2 0
#85 University at Buffalo New York 5 0
#90 Texas Christian University Texas 13 0
#95 American University D.C. 15 0
#100 University of Iowa Iowa 3 0
#100 Creighton University Nebraska 1 0
#100 Elon University North Carolina 15 0
#109 Temple University Pennsylvania 45 0
#116 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Oklahoma 9 0
#121 University of Arizona Arizona 10 0
#137 University of Alabama at Birmingham Alabama 10 0
#137 San Diego State University California 9 0
#148 Catholic University of America D.C. 1 0
#191 Samford University Alabama 10 0
#191 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Oklahoma 1 0
#202 Ohio University-Main Campus Ohio 14 0
#208 Xavier University Ohio 9 0
#227 The New School New York 31 16
#227 University of North Dakota North Dakota 2 0
#236 Kent State University at Kent Ohio 17 0
#250 Pace University-New York New York 23 1
#250 Lipscomb University Tennessee 9 0
#262 Central Michigan University Michigan 2 0
#276 Western Michigan University Michigan 14 0
#288 Texas State University Texas 14 0
#288 Shenandoah University Virginia 21 0
#308 Oakland University Michigan 11 1
#317 Morgan State University Maryland 1 0
#317 Emory & Henry University Virginia 4 0
#332 Point Park University Pennsylvania 12 0
#342 University of Northern Colorado Colorado 12 0
#365 William Carey University Mississippi 3 0
#365 Liberty University Virginia 3 0
#382 Roosevelt University Illinois 46 2
LAC #100 SUNY College at Geneseo New York 5 0
LAC #100 Lycoming College Pennsylvania 2 0
LAC #119 Meredith College North Carolina 2 0
LAC #128 SUNY at Purchase College New York 23 1
LAC #184 Fort Lewis College Colorado 1 0
LAC #184 Young Harris College Georgia 1 0
— American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York 144 23
— Berklee College of Music Massachusetts 69 2
— Marymount Manhattan College New York 53 0
— Columbia College Chicago Illinois 32 1
— Manhattan School of Music New York 23 2
— The University of Tampa Florida 22 1
— Ithaca College New York 21 0
— Stephens College Missouri 18 0
— SUNY at Fredonia New York 17 0
— University of Central Oklahoma Oklahoma 17 0
— Millikin University Illinois 16 0
— Viterbo University Wisconsin 16 0
— Emerson College Massachusetts 12 1
— Webster University Missouri 12 2
— Nebraska Wesleyan University Nebraska 12 0
— Manhattanville University New York 12 0
— Anderson University South Carolina 12 0
— Florida Southern College Florida 11 0
— Loyola University New Orleans Louisiana 10 0
— Sam Houston State University Texas 9 0
— California State University-Chico California 8 0
— Weber State University Utah 8 0
— Illinois Wesleyan University Illinois 7 0
— State University of New York at Cortland New York 6 0
— Otterbein University Ohio 6 0
— West Texas A & M University Texas 6 0
— Ouachita Baptist University Arkansas 5 0
— Western Connecticut State University Connecticut 5 0
— Dean College Massachusetts 5 0
— Brenau University Georgia 4 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Producers and Directors 143,120 $54.47 $113,300
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 93,560 — $94,700
Actors 55,000 $58.29 —
Musicians and Singers 36,180 $60.46 —
Music Directors and Composers 12,540 $43.50 $90,470
Dancers 8,130 $30.83 —
Choreographers 2,860 $35.14 $73,100

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.