Theater & Dramaat Oberlin College
Graduates earn $12,441/yr in their first year — about 41.0% below the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $376K; scenarios range from $366K to $367K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Oberlin College
A theatre arts degree from a distinguished liberal arts institution like Oberlin often signals a path driven by passion and artistic exploration, rather than a direct pipeline to immediate high earnings. Your experience here will be deeply immersive, focusing on performance, critical theory, and the craft of stage production within a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment. Many graduates pursue independent theatre, experimental productions, arts education, or further graduate study, careers that frequently involve non-traditional income streams or lower initial salaries. The extensive training you receive in stagecraft, however, provides valuable technical skills, opening doors to roles in regional theatre, event production, or even film and television later on. To navigate this landscape, actively seek out internships with professional companies and build a robust network while still a student. This proactive approach will be crucial for translating your artistic passion into a sustainable career.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Oberlin College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Theater & Drama
How Oberlin College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Oberlin College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Oberlin College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Theater & Drama offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at Oberlin College
What does a 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Oberlin College?
At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Oberlin College a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Oberlin College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.