Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $18,026 track close to the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 8.1x 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 $14,458 debt-to-$18,026 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #163 out of 270 programs, University of California-San Diego's financial outcomes for Theater & Drama trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $18,026 to $39,424 over five years (119% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.