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Theater & Drama at Otterbein University

Westerville, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
13
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $12,546/yr (-41% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #257 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 $524K $521K $483K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.7x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 13 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$139,596
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,560
37% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,822
25.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,633
200% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $12,546 place Otterbein University below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 3.7x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At 2.1x first-year earnings, the debt burden at $26,822 is among the heavier we see. Prospective students should model loan repayment scenarios carefully.

A #257 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Otterbein University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $12,546-to-$37,633 earnings arc over five years reflects a 200% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Otterbein University

Otterbein University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,055 in Westerville, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $88,560 over four years — 37% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Otterbein 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

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 Otterbein University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,287) Systems Engineering ($63,243) Finance and Financial Management Services ($55,364) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($44,689) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($38,651) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($37,430) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($31,851) Communication and Media Studies ($31,207)

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 13/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Otterbein University?
At 13/100, 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 Otterbein University?
At $26,822 in median debt, graduates carry 26 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Otterbein University a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Otterbein University'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 →