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Theater & Drama at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,052/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #112 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 $390K $398K $383K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.5x 13.8x 13.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,856
Out-of-state: $87,504 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,980
-104% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
14.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $18,052 track close to the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 13.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% 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 1.2x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #112 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About University of North Carolina at Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Charlotte has a 80% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 23,567 students in Charlotte, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →

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 North Carolina at Charlotte

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,445) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($72,167) Computer Engineering ($71,117) Physics ($70,150) Mechanical Engineering ($69,178) Systems Engineering ($68,034) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($67,997) Civil Engineering ($67,934)

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 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
At 23/100, 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 North Carolina at Charlotte?
At $21,500 in median debt, graduates carry 14 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 →