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Theater & Drama at Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
39
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,335/yr (29% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 19.1x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 1%

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 $519K $517K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.2x 19.1x 17.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.3x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 39 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,080
Out-of-state: $82,344 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,728
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,419
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $27,335 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from Southern Utah University significantly outpace the $21,147 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 19.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,000 against $27,335/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Among 270 Theater & Drama programs nationally, Southern Utah University ranks #1 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The $27,335-to-$48,419 earnings arc over five years reflects a 77% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Southern Utah University

With 80% of applicants admitted, Southern Utah University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 9,533 in Cedar City, UT.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Utah 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 Utah University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($65,898) Accounting and Related Services ($55,425) Computer Science ($49,655) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,832) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($45,042) Engineering Technology, General ($43,320) Economics ($43,266) Agriculture, General ($41,071)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Southern Utah University?
At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Southern Utah University one of the best schools for Theater & Drama?
Among 270 Theater & Drama programs, Southern Utah University's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →