Theater & Drama at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
22
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,398/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.4x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #120 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 50%

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 $513K $512K $475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.4x 8.4x 7.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.8x 2.8x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 22 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,690
120% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Davis's Theater & Drama program produces graduates earning $19,398/yr — within striking distance of the $21,147 national average for this field.

At 8.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $13,000 debt-to-$19,398 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #120 out of 270 programs, University of California-Davis's Theater & Drama offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $19,398 to $42,690 over five years (120% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

University of California-Davis's 42% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 31,777 students enrolled in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Davis

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Davis's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 22/100 — 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 →