Program Analysis
At $24,258 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from Western Washington University earn slightly above the $21,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $19,500 represents roughly 10 months of the $24,258 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #95 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, Western Washington University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $24,258 to $32,409 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.