Theater & Drama at Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
13
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings
$19,490/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market
Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI
2.0x earnings multiple
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 | $437K | $441K | $418K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.0x | 2.0x | 1.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 36% | 33% | 27% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 14 | 13 | 10 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$222,816
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
16.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,435
56% growth from Year 1
About Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University accepts 45% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,570 students in Bloomington, IL. The average net cost of $118,200 over four years represents a 47% discount from published tuition.
See all programs and financial aid at Illinois Wesleyan 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
Other Majors at Illinois Wesleyan University
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 Illinois Wesleyan University?
A score of 13/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Theater & Drama at Illinois Wesleyan University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $19,490/yr starting salary means roughly 1.4 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 →