Theater & Drama at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston Salem, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,229/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #131 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 $445K $449K $424K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.8x 11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 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)
$37,908
Out-of-state: $108,844 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,488
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,500
13.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,642
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $21,229/yr, Theater & Drama graduates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts land near the $21,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 11.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,500 debt load exceeds a year of the $21,229 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

Ranked #131 out of 270 programs, University of North Carolina School of the Arts's Theater & Drama offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $21,229 to $32,642 over five years (54% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of North Carolina School of the Arts

A 33% acceptance rate puts University of North Carolina School of the Arts in competitive admissions territory, a smaller institution with 902 students in Winston Salem, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts →

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 North Carolina School of the Arts

Consider the Trade Route?

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

How does University of North Carolina School of the Arts'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.
Do University of North Carolina School of the Arts Theater & Drama graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →