Theater & Dramaat Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Graduates earn $28,172/yr in their first year — about 33.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $436K; scenarios range from $414K to $432K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
The strong earning figures for CSU’s Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program reflect more than just a passion for performance; they point to a strategic focus on the technical and production skills highly valued in today’s creative economy. While Fort Collins offers a local arts scene, the proximity to Denver's larger theatre district, diverse event companies, and a growing film and media industry creates significant opportunities.
This program likely emphasizes practical training in areas like technical direction, stage design, lighting, sound, and production management. These specialized behind-the-scenes roles are in consistent demand, often commanding higher salaries than pure acting or traditional performance paths. Your curriculum probably equips you with marketable skills applicable not only to live theatre but also to corporate events, film production, and arts administration. To leverage this advantage, actively build a diverse portfolio showcasing your technical proficiency and production experience from day one.
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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins'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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, 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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins
How does Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.