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Theater & Drama at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

Lancaster, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $15,602/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (13.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #58 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 $483K $484K $453K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.6x 19.6x 18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.2x 13.2x 12.3x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$24,712
Out-of-state: $36,680 (13.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$24,532
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,875
16.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,540
128% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $15,602 place Ohio University-Lancaster Campus below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 19.6x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,875 debt load exceeds a year of the $15,602 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

Ranked #58 out of 270 programs, Ohio University-Lancaster Campus's Theater & Drama program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $15,602 to $35,540 over five years (128% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

with a smaller student body of 657 in Lancaster, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus →

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 Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,809) Computer Science ($73,932) Industrial Engineering ($70,199) Mechanical Engineering ($69,161) Management Information Systems and Services ($68,154) Chemical Engineering ($67,322) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($64,226) Civil Engineering ($63,884)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Ohio University-Lancaster Campus's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 26/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Theater & Drama graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.4x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Why does Ohio University-Lancaster Campus rank so high for Theater & Drama?
The #58 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.
Why are Theater & Drama earnings lower at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus?
Lower starting pay at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →