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Visual & Performing Arts · Theater & Drama Rank #99 of 270

Theater & Dramaat University of California-Berkeley

Graduates earn $22,610/yr in their first year — about 7.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $415K; scenarios range from $397K to $409K depending on AI disruption.

Berkeley, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
23 AT RISK
24
Optimistic
19
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,610
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$415K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
38% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley

Your Berkeley Drama degree offers a unique blend of rigorous academic training within a world-class university and direct access to the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area arts scene. While Berkeley isn't a conservatory, its program often emphasizes critical theory, performance studies, and experimental theatre, attracting students interested in a multifaceted approach to the arts. This academic foundation, coupled with the university's prestige, can open doors to roles in production, arts administration, or even related creative fields like design, especially if you leverage the strong alumni network.

The regional market's high cost of living means entry-level wages might feel modest initially, but the concentration of tech and creative industries offers unique opportunities to apply your skills in less traditional roles, such as content creation or experience design, beyond the stage. Networking aggressively through internships and local theatre companies during your studies is crucial. Focus on developing a diverse portfolio that showcases both your performance and technical or conceptual abilities to maximize your career trajectory in this competitive field.

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
$397K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple6.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$415K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple7.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$409K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple6.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley'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 UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley

Other top programs at UC Berkeley

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, 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 UC Berkeley

What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at University of California-Berkeley?

At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.