Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $16,892/yr fall 20% below the $21,147 national median for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 10.7x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $25,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $16,892 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
Ranked #79 out of 270 programs, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $16,892 to $46,366 over five years (174% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.