Home › Virginia Commonwealth University › Theater & Drama

Theater & Drama at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
20
Optimistic
19
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,447/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 6.6x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #199 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 $427K $432K $411K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.5x 6.6x 6.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.7x 2.8x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 19 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,808
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
11.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,450
31% growth from Year 1

About Virginia Commonwealth University

A 93% acceptance rate means Virginia Commonwealth University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 20,797 students in Richmond, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →

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

Compare this program → View all 270 schools offering Theater & Drama →

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Saint Mary's College of California ($38,160) University of Notre Dame ($37,531) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) University of South Dakota ($33,852) The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($33,169) Carnegie Mellon University ($32,967) University of Colorado Boulder ($32,142)

Other Majors at Virginia Commonwealth University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($84,338) Computer Engineering ($82,964) Chemical Engineering ($79,721) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,938) Mechanical Engineering ($73,355) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($72,808) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,847) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($67,072)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 19/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Virginia Commonwealth University?
At 19/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →