Theatre Design and Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Theatre Design and Technology is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field that equips students with the creative and technical expertise to shape the visual and sensory experience of live performance. This program emphasizes the integration of artistic vision with advanced production methods to bring dramatic narratives to life on stage.
- Set Design: The conceptualization and planning of stage environments, focusing on spatial composition, materials, and structural feasibility to support storytelling.
- Lighting Design: The strategic use of light to establish mood, highlight action, and enhance visual storytelling through intensity, color, and movement.
- Sound Design and Effects: The creation and implementation of audio elements that complement performance, including ambient sound, music, and effects to heighten dramatic impact.
- Theatre Acoustics: The study of sound behavior within performance spaces to ensure optimal audio clarity and audience engagement.
- Scene Painting: The application of specialized techniques to create realistic or stylized backdrops, flats, and set pieces that contribute to the overall aesthetic.
- Property Management: The organization, sourcing, and maintenance of props used in productions, ensuring authenticity and operational efficiency.
- Costume Design: The development of character-appropriate garments and accessories that reflect period, culture, and personality while supporting performance needs.
- Technical Direction and Production: The coordination and execution of all technical aspects of a production, from pre-production planning to live performance oversight.
- Computer Applications in Theatre: The use of digital tools and software for drafting, simulation, automation, and project management in modern stage production environments.
Theatre Design and Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Theatre Design and Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Theatre Design and Technology degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Set and Exhibit Designers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 108,740 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Set and Exhibit Designers 27-1027 | $66,280 | $35,990 - $129,420 | 10,850 | $31.87 |
Theatre Design and Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $37,820 in Kansas to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 242% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 108,740 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Theatre Design and Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Theatre Design and Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Theatre Design and Technology is found at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) (90 graduates), Valencia College (76 graduates), University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (36 graduates), Yale University (32 graduates), and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) (30 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,008 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
90 | Winston Salem, North Carolina | Public | uncsa.edu |
| Valencia College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
76 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
36 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Yale University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
32 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Valencia, California | Private | calarts.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Other Award
|
30 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
28 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Purchase, New York | Public | purchase.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
17 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Emerson College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Master's
|
11 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| Utah Tech University (UT) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Saint George, Utah | Public | utahtech.edu |
| CUNY Queensborough Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Bayside, New York | Public | qcc.cuny.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Ringling College of Art and Design |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Sarasota, Florida | Private | ringling.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
8 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Moorpark College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Moorpark, California | Public | moorparkcollege.edu |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ccd.edu |
| Saint Johns River State College (SJR) |
Associate's
|
8 | Palatka, Florida | Public | sjrstate.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Denison University (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Granville, Ohio | Private | denison.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of North Georgia (UNG) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Dahlonega, Georgia | Public | ung.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
7 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Normandale Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Public | normandale.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Master's
|
7 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Otterbein University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Westerville, Ohio | Private | otterbein.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
6 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Cypress College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| Gordon State College |
Associate's
|
6 | Barnesville, Georgia | Public | gordonstate.edu |
| North Central College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Naperville, Illinois | Private | northcentralcollege.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Master's
|
5 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
5 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Wright State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
|
5 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
5 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
|
4 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | New York, New York | Private | mmm.edu |
| Elon University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Elon, North Carolina | Private | elon.edu |
| Carroll Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Westminster, Maryland | Public | carrollcc.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| Riverside City College (RCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Riverside, California | Public | rcc.edu |
| Colorado Mountain College (CMC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Glenwood Springs, Colorado | Public | coloradomtn.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Panama City, Florida | Public | gulfcoast.edu |
| Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Niceville, Florida | Public | nwfsc.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Gresham, Oregon | Public | mhcc.edu |
| York Technical College (York Tech) |
Other Award
|
3 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | yorktech.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Cornish College of the Arts |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Seattle, Washington | Private | cornish.edu |
| Casper College |
Associate's
|
3 | Casper, Wyoming | Public | caspercollege.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Harding University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| Citrus College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Ohlone College |
Associate's
|
2 | Fremont, California | Public | ohlone.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Other Award
|
2 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Vanguard University of Southern California |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Costa Mesa, California | Private | vanguard.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Theatre Design and Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Theatre Design and Technology degree?
Salaries for Theatre Design and Technology graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Set and Exhibit Designers earn around $66,280. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $37,820 in Kansas. Approximately 108,740 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Theatre Design and Technology programs?
Currently 160 accredited institutions offer Theatre Design and Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) (90 graduates), Valencia College (76 graduates), and University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (36 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Theatre Design and Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 756 in 2010 to a peak of 1,261 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,087 in 2023-24. This represents a 44% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Theatre Design and Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Set and Exhibit Designers, . Related occupations employ approximately 108,740 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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