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Theater & Drama at Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,150/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #148 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 $420K $426K $406K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.2x 8.3x 7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.6x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,052
Out-of-state: $64,380 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,468
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,374
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Connecticut State University's Theater & Drama graduates start at $24,150/yr — above the $21,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 8.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.0x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #148 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Western Connecticut State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $24,150 to $28,374 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Western Connecticut State University

A 81% acceptance rate means Western Connecticut State University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 3,434 students in Danbury, CT.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Connecticut State 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 Western Connecticut State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($86,600) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($77,969) Accounting and Related Services ($58,144) Management Information Systems and Services ($50,443) Finance and Financial Management Services ($46,470) Marketing ($45,967) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($42,454) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($39,696)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Western Connecticut State University?
At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Theater & Drama degree from Western Connecticut State University?
At $25,000 in median debt, graduates carry 12 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →