Theater & Dramaat University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Graduates earn $24,412/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $499K; scenarios range from $465K to $500K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
This program’s standout performance reflects its strong emphasis on practical stagecraft alongside dramatic arts, equipping you with highly transferable skills. The demand for technicians in lighting, sound, set design, and costume creation extends far beyond traditional theater. Graduates often find robust opportunities in live event production, corporate multimedia, museum exhibits, and even film sets, particularly benefiting from proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago's vibrant arts and event industries. These technical competencies, coupled with creative problem-solving, open pathways to stable and well-compensated roles in diverse creative fields, including design and production management. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships with local production companies or regional theaters early on to build a portfolio and network before graduation.
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 Wisconsin-Whitewater'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 Wisconsin-Whitewater stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 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 Wisconsin-Whitewater
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.