This program compared with the national picture
| Measure | This program | National median, same field and credential |
|---|---|---|
| Median earnings 1 year after completion | $34,429 | $29,768 |
| Median earnings 4 years after completion | $42,092 | $39,775 |
| Median federal loan debt (Stafford and Grad PLUS) | $27,000 | $23,401 Median of programs |
| Estimated monthly payment on median debt (10-year standard) | $307 | |
| Graduates in the most recent year | 78 | 12,120 across 919 programs |
Earnings cohorts: Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars. Debt cohort: NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort. Debt covers federal loans only and excludes private loans and Parent PLUS loans. Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, before taxes.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Careers this field prepares students for
From the official CIP to SOC crosswalk. Graduates do not all enter these occupations, and occupation wages describe all workers, not new graduates. Official crosswalk
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|
| Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary | $78,620 | +2.2% |
| Fashion designers | $80,960 | +0.1% |
| Set and exhibit designers | $75,240 | +1.4% |
| Actors | Data unavailable | 0.0% |
| Producers and directors | $90,360 | +4.0% |
| Dancers | Data unavailable | +2.2% |
| Choreographers | $55,310 | +3.1% |
| Music directors and composers | $73,710 | +1.2% |
| Musicians and singers | Data unavailable | +0.3% |
| Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other | Data unavailable | +4.7% |
| Writers and authors | $76,910 | -0.3% |
| Costume attendants | $50,400 | +5.9% |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Comparable programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame IN · Private, nonprofit | $62,573 | $19,250 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato MN · Public | $44,151 | $22,388 |
| Southern Methodist University TX · Private, nonprofit | $44,127 | $21,500 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology NY · Public | $43,543 | Data unavailable |
| University of California-Berkeley CA · Public | $43,297 | $9,647 |
| University of Georgia GA · Public | $42,647 | $24,484 |
| The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public | $42,332 | $22,491 |
| Otterbein University OH · Private, nonprofit | $41,684 | $20,197 |
| University of Miami FL · Private, nonprofit | $41,119 | $13,500 |
| Carnegie Mellon University PA · Private, nonprofit | $39,921 | $19,881 |
See all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs and national outcomes
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