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Theater & Drama at Rhode Island College

Providence, RI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,526/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #90 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 50%

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 $462K $464K $437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.6x 9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,944
Out-of-state: $106,076 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,952
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,034
11.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,031
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $24,526/yr, edging above the $21,147 national average for Theater & Drama — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 10.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,034 against $24,526/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #90 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Rhode Island College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $24,526-to-$37,031 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,630 students in Providence, RI. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Rhode Island College →

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 Rhode Island College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,235) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($60,999) Computer Science ($60,361) Special Education and Teaching ($50,060) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($49,825) Accounting and Related Services ($48,921) Management Information Systems and Services ($47,857) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($44,789)

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 24/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Rhode Island College?
At 24/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →