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Theater & Drama at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
17
Optimistic
17
Base Case
14
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,002/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 6.3x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #221 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

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 $438K $442K $419K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.3x 6.3x 6.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.7x 2.8x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 17 17 14

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$69,848
Out-of-state: $160,520 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,584
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,411
16.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,845
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $18,002/yr, roughly in line with the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

A 6.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.4x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #221 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $18,002-to-$29,845 earnings arc over five years reflects a 66% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 746 students in Waterbury, CT. 50% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $35,584 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus →

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 Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($84,969) Computer Engineering ($82,924) Computer Science ($79,605) Industrial Engineering ($77,692) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,411) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($75,649) Materials Engineering ($75,607) Mechanical Engineering ($74,869)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 17/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?
At 17/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Theater & Drama degree from University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?
At $25,411 in median debt, graduates carry 17 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →