Theater & Drama at University of the Arts

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
12 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
12
Optimistic
12
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $12,085/yr (-43% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #270 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 $521K $518K $481K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 12 12 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$217,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$176,616
19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
26.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,737
204% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $12,085 place University of the Arts below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 exceeds 2.2 years of the $12,085 starting salary — a significant financial commitment that requires careful planning.

Ranked #270 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, University of the Arts falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $36,737 show a 204% jump from the $12,085 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of the Arts

University of the Arts accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 1,064 students in Philadelphia, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at University 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

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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at University of the Arts?
A score of 12/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Theater & Drama at University of the Arts worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $12,085/yr starting salary means roughly 2.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Can you still earn well with Theater & Drama from University of the Arts?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →