Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $20,899 track close to the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 8.1x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $21,750 debt load exceeds a year of the $20,899 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
Ranked #96 out of 270 programs, Auburn University's Theater & Drama offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.