Theater & Dramaat University of South Dakota
Graduates earn $33,852/yr in their first year — about 60.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $458K; scenarios range from $432K to $455K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of South Dakota
The strong financial outcomes for graduates of this Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program defy common perceptions about creative degrees. This likely reflects a curriculum emphasizing highly practical, technical skills in stagecraft, which are broadly applicable beyond traditional theatre. In a regional market like South Dakota, skilled technicians and project managers in event production, corporate media, or educational institutions are often in high demand and can command competitive salaries. Graduates may also find success in related fields like exhibit design or specialized creative services. The program's smaller, public university setting might also mean more hands-on experience and direct faculty mentorship, fostering the adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit essential for success in creative industries. To maximize your earning potential, actively cultivate a diverse portfolio of technical projects and network broadly within the events and production sectors.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of South Dakota's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Theater & Drama
How University of South Dakota stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of South Dakota
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Dakota, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Theater & Drama offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at University of South Dakota
What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at University of South Dakota?
At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.