Theater & Dramaat Dean College
Graduates earn $29,639/yr in their first year — about 40.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $442K; scenarios range from $419K to $438K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Dean College
The strong financial outcomes you're seeing for Dean's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program often stem from its unique blend of location and practical focus. Being situated in Franklin, MA, places graduates within easy reach of the vibrant Boston and Providence theatre scenes, major event production companies, and even burgeoning film and television opportunities across New England.
Crucially, the "Stagecraft" emphasis equips you with highly marketable technical and production skills—lighting, sound, set design, costume creation, and stage management—which are in consistent demand beyond just traditional performance roles. These practical capabilities translate directly into careers as producers, directors, and specialized designers, roles that require significant technical acumen and project management skills. Dean's reputation and alumni network in this regional market can also create valuable pipelines into these professional environments. To best leverage this, actively seek out internships with regional production houses and focus on developing a specific technical specialty within your studies.
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 Dean College'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 Dean College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Dean College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Dean College, 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 Dean College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at Dean College?
A score of 20/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.