Theater & Drama at Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,929/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #166 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 Theater & Drama graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $436K $440K $418K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.0x 10.1x 9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.1x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 20 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)
$43,584
Out-of-state: $85,920 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$28,672
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,057
10.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,382
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $19,929/yr, roughly in line with the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 10.1x 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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,057 debt-to-$19,929 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #166 out of 270 programs, Northern Kentucky University's financial outcomes for Theater & Drama trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $19,929 to $30,382 over five years (52% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 8,065 students in Highland Heights, KY. The average net cost of $28,672 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Kentucky University →

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 Northern Kentucky 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

How does Northern Kentucky University's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 20/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →