Theater & Drama at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,455/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #142 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 $462K $464K $437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.6x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.3x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,080
Out-of-state: $88,080 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,708
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
15.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,227
72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $20,455/yr, Theater & Drama graduates from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee land near the $21,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 11.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $20,455 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #142 out of 270 programs, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's financial outcomes for Theater & Drama trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $20,455 to $35,227 over five years (72% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 16,762 in Milwaukee, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee →

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 Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Theater & Drama graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →