Theater & Drama at George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,984/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market
Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI
7.5x earnings multiple (2.6x out-of-state)
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 | $410K | $416K | $398K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 7.4x | 7.5x | 7.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 2.6x | 2.6x | 2.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 36% | 33% | 27% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 25 | 24 | 19 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (2.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
14.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$36,403
58% growth from Year 1
About George Mason University
A 89% acceptance rate means George Mason University is accessible to most applicants, with 27,083 students enrolled in Fairfax, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at George Mason University →Top Career Paths
Producers and directors
$83,480/yr
Fashion designers
$80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190/yr
Compare & Explore
Theater & Drama at Other Schools
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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at George Mason University?
A score of 24/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Theater & Drama at George Mason University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $22,984/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →