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Theater & Drama at University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $12,960/yr (-39% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)

Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)

ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #205 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

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	$369K	$378K	$367K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.4x	8.7x	8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.4x	3.5x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	36%	33%	27%
DegreeOutlook Score	19	18	17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,680

Out-of-state: $108,416 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,916

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $12,960 place University of Southern Maine below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

A 8.7x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #205 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places University of Southern Maine in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About University of Southern Maine

University of Southern Maine accepts 79% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 4,245 students in Portland, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Maine →

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 Southern Maine

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

What does a 18/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at University of Southern Maine?

At 18/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is University of Southern Maine a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Southern Maine's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →