Theater & Drama at University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,289/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market
Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI
12.7x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
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 | $495K | $495K | $462K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.7x | 12.7x | 11.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.8x | 5.8x | 5.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 36% | 33% | 27% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 27 | 27 | 22 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,912
Out-of-state: $85,088 (5.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,807
88% growth from Year 1
About University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →Top Career Paths
Producers and directors
$83,480/yr
Fashion designers
$80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190/yr
Compare & Explore
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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at University of Northern Iowa?
A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes University of Northern Iowa's Theater & Drama program stand out?
Ranked #33 of 270 programs nationally, University of Northern Iowa lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →