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Theater & Drama at Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
16 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
16
Optimistic
16
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,831/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #230 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

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 $451K $454K $428K
Earnings Multiple 1.7x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 16 16 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$257,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,112
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,577
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,831 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from Southern Methodist University earn slightly above the $21,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 1.8x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

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 $22,000 against $23,831/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #230 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Southern Methodist University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 45% earnings increase from $23,831 to $34,577 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University accepts 61% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 7,106 in Dallas, TX. The average net cost of $167,112 over four years represents a 35% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Methodist 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

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 Southern Methodist University

Computer Science ($93,679) Finance and Financial Management Services ($83,159) Mechanical Engineering ($79,280) Statistics ($76,759) Mathematics ($74,516) Operations Research ($72,658) Economics ($71,630) Accounting and Related Services ($68,643)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 16/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Southern Methodist University?
At 16/100, 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 →