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Theater & Drama at Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
19
Optimistic
19
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,862/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #196 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

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 $446K $450K $425K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.7x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 19 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,560
Out-of-state: $118,512 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,968
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
19.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,787
83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $16,862 place Coastal Carolina University below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

A 9.7x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% 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 #196 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Coastal Carolina University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $16,862-to-$30,787 earnings arc over five years reflects a 83% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 9,909 students in Conway, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Coastal Carolina University →

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 Coastal Carolina University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($84,021) Finance and Financial Management Services ($46,911) Accounting and Related Services ($43,812) Special Education and Teaching ($42,147) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,953) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($40,053) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($38,602) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($36,544)

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 19/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Coastal Carolina University?
At 19/100, 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 Coastal Carolina University?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 19 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Coastal Carolina University a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Coastal Carolina University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →