Theater & Drama at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Whitewater, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,412/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 15.1x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 5%

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 $500K $499K $465K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.2x 15.1x 14.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 7.0x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,000
Out-of-state: $71,664 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,140
-79% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,625
13.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,748
79% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,412 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earn slightly above the $21,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Theater & Drama programs nationally.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,625 against $24,412/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #9 of 270 nationally, this is a top-5% Theater & Drama program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $43,748 show a 79% jump from the $24,412 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

With 83% of applicants admitted, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater prioritizes broad access, enrolling 9,180 students in Whitewater, WI.

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

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-Whitewater

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 Wisconsin-Whitewater?
A score of 31/100 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 Wisconsin-Whitewater worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,625 against $24,412/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Theater & Drama program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 270 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands in the top 5%. 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 →