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Theater & Drama at College of Charleston

Charleston, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
23
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,645/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.4x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #116 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 $486K $486K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.4x 9.4x 8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 23 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,912
Out-of-state: $147,432 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,072
-50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,746
14.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,880
84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $21,645/yr, roughly in line with the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

A 9.4x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 6% 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 1.2x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #116 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places College of Charleston in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $21,645-to-$39,880 earnings arc over five years reflects a 84% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About College of Charleston

College of Charleston accepts 72% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 10,366 students in Charleston, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at College of Charleston →

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 College of Charleston

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($67,438) Information Science/Studies ($63,069) Finance and Financial Management Services ($54,634) Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences ($49,786) Accounting and Related Services ($49,702) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,402) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,299) Marketing ($40,723)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at College of Charleston?
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 College of Charleston?
At $26,746 in median debt, graduates carry 15 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →