Best Theatre & Drama Programs in California
Explore the top 121 Theatre & Drama programs in California. Compare acceptance rates, tuition costs, class sizes, and audition requirements to find the right fit for you.
Ranked by program fit, selectiveness, class size, value, outcomes, and data quality
1
California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.43 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Medium
Devised Performance/Physical Theatre
Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.43 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Medium
2
University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 29%Tuition: $50KAvg GPA: 4 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
Acceptance: 29%Tuition: $50KGPA: 4 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
3
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 52%Tuition: $59KAvg GPA: 4.02 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
Acceptance: 52%Tuition: $59KGPA: 4.02 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
4
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 10%Tuition: $72KAvg GPA: 3.86 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Medium
Acceptance: 10%Tuition: $72KGPA: 3.86 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Medium
5
California State University - Chico
Chico, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.39 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.39 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
6
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 45%Tuition: $62KAvg GPA: 3.97 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 45%Tuition: $62KGPA: 3.97 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
7
Chapman University
Orange, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 65%Tuition: $65KAvg GPA: 3.75 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 65%Tuition: $65KGPA: 3.75 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
8
Cañada College
Redwood City, CA·Public
Tuition: $11KClass Size: Small
Tuition: $11KClass Size: Small
9
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 63%Tuition: $70KAvg GPA: 3.61 (W)Selectiveness: Highly Selective
Acceptance: 63%Tuition: $70KGPA: 3.61 (W)Selectiveness: Highly Selective
10
University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 33%Tuition: $51K
Theater & Community, Theater & Performance Studies
Acceptance: 33%Tuition: $51K
11
Stanford University
Stanford, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 4%Tuition: $66KAvg GPA: 3.94 (W)
BA Theater and Performance StudiesTheater-Making
Acceptance: 4%Tuition: $66KGPA: 3.94 (W)
12
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 36%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.84 (W)
General Theatre Arts, Youth Theatre
Acceptance: 36%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.84 (W)
13
California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 46%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.67 (W)
Acceptance: 46%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.67 (W)
14
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 9%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.93 (W)
Acceptance: 9%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.93 (W)
15
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $42KAvg GPA: 3.4 (W)Selectiveness: Moderately Selective
BA Theatre Arts
Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $42KGPA: 3.4 (W)Selectiveness: Moderately Selective
16
Pomona College
Claremont, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 7%Tuition: $65KAvg GPA: 4.11 (W)
Acceptance: 7%Tuition: $65KGPA: 4.11 (W)
17
University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 11%Tuition: $51K
Acceptance: 11%Tuition: $51K
18
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Technical Theater
Tuition: $9K
19
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
General Theatre Studies
Tuition: $13K
20
Chabot College
Hayward, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Technical Theater
Tuition: $9K
21
University of California - Riverside
Riverside, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $50KAvg GPA: 3.83 (W)
General Theatre, Film, and Digital Production
Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $50KGPA: 3.83 (W)
22
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 31%Tuition: $35KAvg GPA: 4.12 (W)
Acceptance: 31%Tuition: $35KGPA: 4.12 (W)
23
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Technical Theater
Tuition: $13K
24
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
25
University of California - San Diego
San Diego, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 27%Tuition: $51KAvg GPA: 3.9 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
Acceptance: 27%Tuition: $51KGPA: 3.9 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
26
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
27
Citrus College
Glendora, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
28
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
29
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA·Public
Tuition: $1K
Tuition: $1K
30
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
31
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
32
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 75%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.69 (W)
General Theatre
Acceptance: 75%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.69 (W)
33
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
34
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
35
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
36
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
37
Glendale Community College
Glendale, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
38
American River College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
39
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
40
Mendocino College
Ukiah, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Theatre
Tuition: $10K
41
University of California - Davis
Davis, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 42%Tuition: $51KAvg GPA: 4.04 (W)
BA Theatre & Dance
Acceptance: 42%Tuition: $51KGPA: 4.04 (W)
42
Napa Valley College
Napa, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Technical Theater
Tuition: $12K
43
California State University - Stanislaus
Turlock, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.46 (W)
Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.46 (W)
44
California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.36 (W)
Drama Education
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.36 (W)
45
California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.33 (W)
Theatre Arts
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.33 (W)
46
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
47
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
48
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
49
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
50
Ohlone College
Fremont, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Theatre & Dance
Tuition: $9K
51
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
52
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
53
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
54
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
55
Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
56
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
57
El Camino College
Torrance, CA·Public
Tuition: $8K
Tuition: $8K
58
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
59
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
60
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
61
Yuba College
Marysville, CA·Public
Tuition: $8K
Tuition: $8K
62
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
63
Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
64
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
65
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
66
Mt. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
67
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, CA·Public
Tuition: $11KAvg GPA: 3.28 (W)
Tuition: $11KGPA: 3.28 (W)
68
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
69
Butte College
Oroville, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
70
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
71
Cypress College
Cypress, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
72
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
73
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 48%Tuition: $61KAvg GPA: 3.72 (W)
BA Theatre ArtsTheatre
Acceptance: 48%Tuition: $61KGPA: 3.72 (W)
74
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
75
College of Marin
Kentfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
76
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
77
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
78
Merced College
Merced, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
79
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
80
Crafton Hills College
Yucaipa, CA·Public
Tuition: $15K
Tuition: $15K
81
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.53 (W)
Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.53 (W)
82
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
83
California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.25 (W)
Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.25 (W)
84
University of California - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 66%Tuition: $50KAvg GPA: 3.92 (W)
Acceptance: 66%Tuition: $50KGPA: 3.92 (W)
85
California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.18 (W)
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.18 (W)
86
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
87
California State University - East Bay
Hayward, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 97%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.2 (W)
BA Theatre Arts
Acceptance: 97%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.2 (W)
88
California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.41 (W)
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.41 (W)
89
California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.5 (W)
BA Theatre
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.5 (W)
90
Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
91
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
92
California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.34 (W)
BA Theatre
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.34 (W)
93
California State University - Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.22 (W)
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.22 (W)
94
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 96%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.44 (W)
Acceptance: 96%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.44 (W)
95
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 44%Tuition: $66KAvg GPA: 3.61 (W)
Acceptance: 44%Tuition: $66KGPA: 3.61 (W)
96
California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.15 (W)
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.15 (W)
97
Laney College
Oakland, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
98
Ventura College
Ventura, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
99
Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
100
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA·Public
Tuition: $15K
Tuition: $15K
101
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
102
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 83%Tuition: $61KAvg GPA: 3.75 (W)
Acceptance: 83%Tuition: $61KGPA: 3.75 (W)
103
Antelope Valley Community College District
Lancaster, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
104
Shasta College
Redding, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
AA-T Theatre Arts
Tuition: $9K
105
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
106
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 71%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.49 (W)
Acceptance: 71%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.49 (W)
107
Evergreen Valley College
San Jose, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
108
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
109
California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt
Arcata, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.42 (W)
Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.42 (W)
110
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $53KAvg GPA: 3.74 (W)
Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $53KGPA: 3.74 (W)
111
San Jose City College
San Jose, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
112
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
113
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
AA Theater Arts
Tuition: $11K
114
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
115
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
116
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $41KAvg GPA: 3.44 (W)
Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $41KGPA: 3.44 (W)
117
Biola University
La Mirada, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 74%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.63 (W)
Acceptance: 74%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.63 (W)
118
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 87%Tuition: $58KAvg GPA: 3.58 (W)
Acceptance: 87%Tuition: $58KGPA: 3.58 (W)
119
Los Angeles Mission College
Sylmar, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
120
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $60KAvg GPA: 3.62 (W)
BA Performing Arts and Social JusticeTheater
Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $60KGPA: 3.62 (W)
121
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA·Public
Tuition: $14K
Tuition: $14K
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Theatre & Drama Programs in Other States
Alabama (12)Arizona (15)Arkansas (8)Colorado (12)Connecticut (12)District of Columbia (5)Florida (24)Georgia (16)Hawaii (2)Idaho (6)Illinois (26)Indiana (14)Iowa (9)Kansas (10)Kentucky (9)Louisiana (9)Maine (5)Maryland (12)Massachusetts (31)Michigan (14)Minnesota (20)Mississippi (8)Missouri (18)Nebraska (5)Nevada (3)New Hampshire (4)New Jersey (14)New Mexico (4)New York (58)North Carolina (24)North Dakota (3)Ohio (31)Oklahoma (9)Oregon (13)Pennsylvania (43)Rhode Island (5)South Carolina (16)South Dakota (3)Tennessee (15)Texas (60)Utah (9)Vermont (4)Virginia (24)Washington (10)West Virginia (2)Wisconsin (13)Wyoming (4)
Other Disciplines in California
Acting (109)Costume Design (41)Dance (68)Directing (3)Dramaturgy (3)Film & TV (4)Lighting Design (41)Musical Theatre (27)Playwriting (5)Production Technology (38)Projection & Media Design (42)Scenic Design (41)Sound Design (41)Stage Management (38)Technical Direction (38)Theatre Education (4)Theatre History & Theory (3)Theatre Management (3)Voice (68)Wig & Makeup Design (4)
