Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $17,929/yr fall 15% below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
Some AI exposure exists in Theater & Drama's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,500 against $17,929/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.4 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #238 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, Columbia College Chicago falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $33,746 show a 88% jump from the $17,929 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.