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We invite you to study the list of the best universities with theatrical art in the USA according to the World University Rankings. Ranking universities use an interdisciplinary approach to learning – students of creative directions can study traditional, modern, digital arts and their combinations.
In addition to bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, students can take short-term courses for advanced training or additional development of skills, during which they will attend valuable master classes with well-known teachers and practice a lot.
Bachelor's and master's programs are entirely devoted to practical acting skills and general educational, humanitarian disciplines. Students analyze a larger and smaller block of subjects, attend seminars and lectures, intern in large companies and spend time in theater studios.
Every year, more than 17,000 people receive theatrical degrees - there are many applicants, and the admission itself is complex and time-consuming - by the time of enrollment at the university, it is recommended to immediately demonstrate significant achievements, existing skills and certificates and be ready for an open dialogue - this will make the applicant more prepared and responsible in the eyes of the admissions committee.
In many creative higher educational institutions and theater schools, you can find unique research doctoral programs, which are based on the formation of the theory of theater and acting. At universities, there are career centers that help graduates in finding work in theatrical activities, and students in finding worthy internships.
Part of the internships can go to the curriculum and be paid by the employer. Promising students can try themselves at work in the world's best companies: Center Theatre Group, NBC Universal, Mosaic Media/Atlas Productions, HBO and DreamWorks Animation. Students gain skills in the following areas during their studies:
- Pixelation, green screen
- SFX with Adobe After Effects
- Motion Tracking
- Animation, video editing and DV authoring
- Rotoscoping.
The most popular areas of study among Americans and foreigners in top theater universities:
- Media and Communications
- Animation, graphic design
- Cinema practice, visual effects
- 3D Game Design
- Computer animation and visualization
- Film and television
- Digital Filmmaking
- Interactive Media Design.
Best performing arts universities in USA 2026 - QS World University rankings
| 1 | The Juilliard School |
| 3 | Curtis Institute of Music |
| 8 | New York University (NYU) |
| 19 | University of Rochester |
| 20 | Harvard University |
| 25 | Indiana University Bloomington |
| 26 | Northwestern University |
| 29 | Yale University |
| 30 | University of Southern California |
| 33 | Stanford University |
| 34 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
| 35 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| 39 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
| 40 | Columbia University |
| 51-100 | Boston University |
| 51-100 | Brown University |
| 51-100 | City University of New York |
| 51-100 | Cornell University |
| 51-100 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| 51-100 | Princeton University |
| 51-100 | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
| 51-100 | University of Chicago |
| 51-100 | University of Miami |
| 101-150 | Carnegie Mellon University |
| 101-150 | Florida State University |
| 101-150 | Johns Hopkins University |
| 101-150 | Rice University |
| 101-150 | University of Texas at Austin |
| 101-150 | University of Washington |
