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Visual & Performing Arts · Theater & Drama Rank #257 of 270

Theater & Dramaat Otterbein University

Graduates earn $12,546/yr in their first year — about 41.0% below the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $521K; scenarios range from $483K to $524K depending on AI disruption.

Westerville, OH Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
13 AT RISK
13
Optimistic
11
Pessimistic
Earnings
$12,546
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$521K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
38% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Otterbein University

A drama/theatre degree, especially with a stagecraft focus, often means a highly competitive and passion-driven career path. While Otterbein's program is well-regarded regionally, the initial earnings reflect the realities of the performing arts industry outside major production hubs. Many graduates begin their careers in regional theaters, educational settings, or event production companies, where entry-level pay can be modest as you build your portfolio and network. Success in fields like producing or directing often takes years of experience and relationship-building. It's common for theatre professionals to wear many hats, blending technical skills with administrative roles. To thrive, you'll need to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, relentlessly network, and consider how your versatile skills in production, design, and management can translate into diverse opportunities beyond traditional theatre, perhaps in corporate events or digital media.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$483K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score11/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$521K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score13/100
Earnings Multiple3.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score13/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Otterbein University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Theater & Drama graduates typically work

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.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Fashion designers
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 2,300 openings/yr
$80,690/yr
Moderate
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
5
Set and exhibit designers
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$66,280/yr
Moderate
6
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Theater & Drama

How Otterbein University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Saint Mary's College of California
CA · Private nonprofit
31
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
0.7x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
VA · Public
31
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
University of South Dakota
SD · Public
29
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
34
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
6.1x
ROI
Also at Otterbein University

Other top programs at Otterbein University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Otterbein University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at Otterbein University

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.