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Visual & Performing Arts · Theater & Drama Rank #168 of 270

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.

Franklin, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
20 AT RISK
20
Optimistic
12
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,639
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$442K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
38% task exposure
Program Analysis

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.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$419K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score12/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$442K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$438K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

Career Paths

Where Theater & Drama graduates typically work

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.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Fashion designers
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 2,300 openings/yr
$80,690/yr
Moderate
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
5
Set and exhibit designers
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$66,280/yr
Moderate
6
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Theater & Drama

How Dean College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Saint Mary's College of California
CA · Private nonprofit
31
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
0.7x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
VA · Public
31
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
University of South Dakota
SD · Public
29
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
34
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
6.1x
ROI
Also at Dean College

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 →
FAQ

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.