Theater & Drama at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
24
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings
$16,892/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market
Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI
10.7x earnings multiple
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 | $558K | $554K | $509K |
| Earnings Multiple | 10.8x | 10.7x | 9.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 36% | 33% | 27% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 24 | 24 | 21 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$51,688
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
17.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,366
174% growth from Year 1
About Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 8,836 in Edwardsville, IL.
See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville →Top Career Paths
Producers and directors
$83,480/yr
Fashion designers
$80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190/yr
Compare & Explore
Theater & Drama at Other Schools
Other Majors at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Theater & Drama graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.5x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Why are Theater & Drama earnings lower at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville?
Lower starting pay at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →