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Theater & Drama at Southern Oregon University

Ashland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,668/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.4x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #115 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 50%

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 $401K $408K $391K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.3x 8.4x 8.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.3x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$48,372
Out-of-state: $122,892 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,880
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,833
12.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $20,668/yr, roughly in line with the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

A 8.4x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.1x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #115 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Southern Oregon University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,911 students in Ashland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Oregon 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 Oregon University

Management Information Systems and Services ($59,328) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($51,167) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,074) Social Sciences, General ($41,835) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,136) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($40,553) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($35,222) Biology, General ($33,930)

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 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Southern Oregon University?
At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Theater & Drama degree from Southern Oregon University?
At $21,833 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →