Program Analysis
Graduates earn $20,450/yr, roughly in line with the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Theater & Drama programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Theater & Drama's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,000 against $20,450/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
At #132 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, University of North Carolina Wilmington scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $20,450 to $28,208 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.