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Theater & Drama at Bennington College

Bennington, VT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
23
Optimistic
23
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,579/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 1.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #117 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Theater & Drama graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $384K $392K $379K
Earnings Multiple 1.5x 1.5x 1.5x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 23 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$258,576
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,672
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,200
19.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $16,579 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from Bennington College earn below the $21,147 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 1.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 1% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.6x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #117 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Bennington College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Bennington College

Bennington College accepts 48% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 759 students in Bennington, VT. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $127,672 — 51% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Bennington College →

Top Career Paths

Producers and directors $83,480/yr
Fashion designers $80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 270 schools offering Theater & Drama →

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Saint Mary's College of California ($38,160) University of Notre Dame ($37,531) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) University of South Dakota ($33,852) The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($33,169) Carnegie Mellon University ($32,967) University of Colorado Boulder ($32,142)

Other Majors at Bennington College

Visual and Performing Arts, General ($20,809) Literature ($18,152)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Bennington College?
At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Theater & Drama degree from Bennington College?
At $26,200 in median debt, graduates carry 19 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Bennington College a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Bennington College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Theater & Drama at Bennington College?
The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $258,576. At a net cost of $127,672, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →