Home Schools Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Theater & Drama
Visual & Performing Arts · Theater & Drama Rank #2 of 270

Theater & Dramaat Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Graduates earn $33,169/yr in their first year — about 57.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $455K; scenarios range from $430K to $452K depending on AI disruption.

Slippery Rock, PA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
34 AT RISK
34
Optimistic
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,169
1-year post-graduation
ROI
6.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$455K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
38% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

You're looking at a program that truly stands out in Drama/Theatre Arts, with surprisingly strong financial outcomes. This often reflects a deep dive into the 'Stagecraft' component, equipping students with highly transferable technical skills. While performance roles are competitive, Slippery Rock likely emphasizes hands-on training in areas like lighting design, set construction, sound engineering, or costume production. These practical abilities are in demand not just with regional theatre companies around Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, but also in event management, corporate AV, and even film production. Your success will heavily depend on actively building a portfolio of practical experience and networking through internships. Focus on mastering a specialized technical niche, which can open more immediate and lucrative career paths beyond traditional theatre.

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
$430K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score25/100
Earnings Multiple10.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$455K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple10.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$452K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple10.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania'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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Other top programs at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

How does Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's Theater & Drama program score?

This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why does Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania rank so high for Theater & Drama?

The #2 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.