Theater & Drama at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,565/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.4x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #133 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 50%

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 $429K $434K $412K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.3x 8.4x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.9x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,384
Out-of-state: $89,264 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,456
-53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
12.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,381
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Kent State University at Kent's Theater & Drama graduates start at $24,565/yr — above the $21,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.4x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Theater & Drama's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 against $24,565/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #133 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, Kent State University at Kent scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $24,565 to $30,381 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Kent State University at Kent

A 87% acceptance rate means Kent State University at Kent is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 19,134 students in Kent, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Kent State University at Kent →

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

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kent State University at Kent

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at Kent State University at Kent?
A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Theater & Drama at Kent State University at Kent worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,000 against $24,565/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 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 →