Theater & Drama at West Texas A & M University

Canyon, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
29
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,036/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (11.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #25 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 10%

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 $481K $482K $451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.2x 13.2x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.9x 11.0x 10.3x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 29 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,404
Out-of-state: $43,984 (11.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,364
-129% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,250
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,814
63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,036 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from West Texas A & M University earn slightly above the $21,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 13.2x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,250 debt-to-$25,036 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #25 ranking out of 270 Theater & Drama programs nationally puts West Texas A & M University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth from $25,036 to $40,814 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About West Texas A & M University

With 97% of applicants admitted, West Texas A & M University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 6,771 students in Canyon, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at West Texas A & M 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

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Other Majors at West Texas A & M University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does West Texas A & M University's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →