Theater & Dramaat The University of Texas at Austin
Graduates earn $33,261/yr in their first year — about 57.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $456K; scenarios range from $430K to $453K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UT Austin
The exceptional outcomes for UT Austin's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program are deeply tied to its strong reputation and Austin's dynamic cultural landscape. This isn't merely an acting program; it’s a comprehensive training ground for the multifaceted world of production, design, and management. Your success stems from the technical rigor of stagecraft, combined with a robust network in a city buzzing with theatre companies, film productions, music festivals like SXSW, and corporate event needs. Graduates often find roles in event production, costume design, lighting, sound, and even within Austin's burgeoning tech scene, leveraging creative problem-solving skills for experiential marketing or content creation. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships and networking opportunities within Austin's vibrant arts and entertainment ecosystem from day one.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UT Austin's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Theater & Drama
How UT Austin stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UT Austin
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UT Austin, 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 →Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at UT Austin
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at The University of Texas at Austin?
A score of 34/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes The University of Texas at Austin's Theater & Drama program stand out?
Ranked #3 of 270 programs nationally, The University of Texas at Austin lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.