Theater & Dramaat Carnegie Mellon University
Graduates earn $32,967/yr in their first year — about 56.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $455K; scenarios range from $429K to $451K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama is a highly selective program, renowned for its intensive, conservatory-style training across performance, design, and technical theatre. This rigorous approach and the program's strong industry reputation explain why its graduates earn significantly more than the national average for the field. Your early career earnings reflect the competitive reality of the arts, where even elite talent often builds a portfolio before securing higher-paying roles. CMU excels at preparing you for leadership in production, design, and management, often leveraging its deep connections to Broadway, regional theatres, and film/TV. Many graduates leverage their technical stagecraft skills into related fields like experience design or event production, diversifying their career options. As you plan your path, actively cultivate your professional network and be prepared to seek opportunities in major theatre hubs where your CMU pedigree will be recognized.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Carnegie Mellon University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Theater & Drama
How Carnegie Mellon University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Carnegie Mellon University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Carnegie Mellon University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Theater & Drama offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at Carnegie Mellon University
What does a 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Carnegie Mellon University?
At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What do students actually pay for Theater & Drama at Carnegie Mellon University?
The 50% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $255,316. At a net cost of $126,684, the earnings multiple improves substantially.