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Theater & Drama at Florida Southern College

Lakeland, FL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,336/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #164 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

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 $408K $414K $396K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 20 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$169,440
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,656
30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
14.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $22,336/yr, edging above the $21,147 national average for Theater & Drama — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 2.4x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 3% 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 #164 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Florida Southern College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Florida Southern College

With a 59% acceptance rate, Florida Southern College is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 2,607 in Lakeland, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida Southern College →

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 Florida Southern College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,019) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($46,418) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,088) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,581) Criminology ($39,713) Accounting and Related Services ($36,669) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($35,023) Biology, General ($29,222)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 20/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Florida Southern College?
At 20/100, 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 Florida Southern College?
At $26,000 in median debt, graduates carry 14 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 →