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Theater & Drama at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,670/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 10%

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 $425K $431K $410K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.0x 12.2x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.9x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,328
Out-of-state: $87,456 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,908
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,784
11.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of Alabama at Birmingham Theater & Drama graduates command $26,670/yr out of the gate, well above the $21,147 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 12.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,784 debt-to-$26,670 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #15 ranking out of 270 Theater & Drama programs nationally puts University of Alabama at Birmingham in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

About University of Alabama at Birmingham

A 88% acceptance rate means University of Alabama at Birmingham is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 12,118 in Birmingham, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham →

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 University of Alabama at Birmingham

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($76,151) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($69,633) Materials Engineering ($69,498) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($65,173) Civil Engineering ($62,283) Mechanical Engineering ($58,191) Management Information Systems and Services ($57,778) Accounting and Related Services ($51,640)

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

How does University of Alabama at Birmingham's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →