Home › Ohio University-Southern Campus › Theater & Drama

Theater & Drama at Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ironton, 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 #57 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)
$21,312
14% 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

Starting salaries of $15,602/yr fall 26% below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 19.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.4x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

Ohio University-Southern Campus ranks #57 among 270 Theater & Drama programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $15,602-to-$35,540 earnings arc over five years reflects a 128% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Ohio University-Southern Campus

with a smaller student body of 461 in Ironton, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Southern 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-Southern 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

What does a 26/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Ohio University-Southern Campus?
At 26/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Theater & Drama degree from Ohio University-Southern Campus?
At $21,875 in median debt, graduates carry 17 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Ohio University-Southern Campus one of the best schools for Theater & Drama?
Among 270 Theater & Drama programs, Ohio University-Southern Campus's #57 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is Ohio University-Southern Campus a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Ohio University-Southern Campus's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →