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Theater & Drama at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,901/yr (37% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #32 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 25%

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 $445K $449K $424K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.4x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,120
Out-of-state: $118,012 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,176
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,879
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Metropolitan State University of Denver Theater & Drama graduates command $28,901/yr out of the gate, well above the $21,147 national median. That 37% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 10.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Ranked #32 out of 270 programs, Metropolitan State University of Denver's Theater & Drama program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $28,901 to $34,879 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Metropolitan State University of Denver

A 99% acceptance rate means Metropolitan State University of Denver is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 14,932 in Denver, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver →

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 Metropolitan State University of Denver

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,333) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($75,966) Computer Science ($73,874) Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($72,334) Management Information Systems and Services ($59,451) Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($54,677) Finance and Financial Management Services ($54,579) Accounting and Related Services ($54,030)

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

How does Metropolitan State University of Denver's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does Metropolitan State University of Denver rank so high for Theater & Drama?
The #32 ranking out of 270 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →