Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
13
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $17,150/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #259 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 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $489K $489K $457K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.0x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 13 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,960
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$121,256
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
18.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,505
119% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $17,150 place Muhlenberg College below the $21,147 national median for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $17,150/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.6 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #259 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs, Muhlenberg College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $37,505 show a 119% jump from the $17,150 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Muhlenberg College

A 64% admission rate makes Muhlenberg College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 1,777 students in Allentown, PA. The average net cost of $121,256 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Muhlenberg 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

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Muhlenberg College?
A score of 13/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Muhlenberg College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $17,150/yr starting salary means roughly 1.6 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Can you still earn well with Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft from Muhlenberg College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →