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Visual & Performing Arts · Theater & Drama Rank #1 of 270

Theater & Dramaat Southern Utah University

Graduates earn $27,335/yr in their first year — about 29.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $517K; scenarios range from $479K to $519K depending on AI disruption.

Cedar City, UT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
39 AT RISK
39
Optimistic
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,335
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$517K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
38% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University's program stands out because it doesn't just teach theory; it cultivates practical, employable skills within a vibrant ecosystem. Being home to the nationally renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City provides an unparalleled hands-on laboratory. You'll find direct pipelines for internships, technical roles, and production experience that are rare for a university program. This deep integration means your education is immediately applicable, preparing you for roles in stage management, costume design, technical direction, and arts administration – areas often more stable and lucrative than pure performance. The program's reputation and local employer connections likely contribute significantly to graduates securing positions quickly. To truly capitalize on this, immerse yourself in every practical opportunity, building a diverse portfolio and a strong network from day one.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$479K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple17.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$517K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple19.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$519K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple19.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Southern Utah University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Theater & Drama graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Fashion designers
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 2,300 openings/yr
$80,690/yr
Moderate
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
5
Set and exhibit designers
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$66,280/yr
Moderate
6
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Theater & Drama

How Southern Utah University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Saint Mary's College of California
CA · Private nonprofit
31
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
0.7x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
VA · Public
31
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
University of South Dakota
SD · Public
29
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
34
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
6.1x
ROI
Also at Southern Utah University

Other top programs at Southern Utah University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Southern Utah University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Theater & Drama offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at Southern Utah University

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.