The Yale School of Drama in New Haven, CT, was at the top of the U.S. News and World Report's annual ranking of America's Best Graduate Schools in the Drama/Theatre area. The list was published in the issue dated March 10. The magazine rates gradute programs in many disciplines.

Here are the top 15 schools, with 5 being the highest possible rating.

Rank/School/ Average Reputation Score
1. Yale University (CT) -- 4.7
2. New York University -- 4.4
3. University of California-San Diego -- 4.0
4. North Carolina School of the Arts -- 3.9
4. University of Washington - 3.9
6. American Conservatory Theater (CA) -- 3.8
6. Carnegie Mellon University (PA) -- 3.8
8. California Institute of the Arts -- 3.7
8. University of Texas-Austin -- 3.7
10. Northwestern University (IL) -- 3.6
10. University of Delaware -- 3.6
12. Boston University -- 3.5
12. Florida State University -- 3.5
12. Rutgers University-New Brunswick (NJ) -- 3.5
12. University of California-Irvine -- 3.5

The survey was conducted by Market Facts Inc., which surveyed deans, top administrators and senior faculty members of schools in each discipline.

For the complete list of the surveyed schools, and a more detailed explanation of the magazine's methodology, visit the magazine's website at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/gdrama.htm or purchase the magazine.-- By Robert Viagas