Theater & Drama at Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,858/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 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 $502K $501K $466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.6x 13.6x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.6x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,912
Out-of-state: $76,080 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,100
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,114
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,548
95% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,858 track close to the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 13.6x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,114 debt-to-$21,858 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #30 out of 270 programs, Sam Houston State University's Theater & Drama program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $21,858 to $42,548 over five years (95% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 18,138 in Huntsville, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Sam Houston State 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

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Other Majors at Sam Houston State University

Consider the Trade Route?

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 Sam Houston State University's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does Sam Houston State University rank so high for Theater & Drama?
The #30 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →