Theater & Drama Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of dramatic arts including acting, directing, design, and theatrical production.
Starting Salary
$40K
median
Mid-Career
$50K
salary
ROI Payback
10 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
6%
rate
Theater & Drama Overview
Study of dramatic arts including acting, directing, design, and theatrical production.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
58%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
48%
Lifetime Premium
$80K
Female Graduates
55%
Theater & Drama Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$62,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($80,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Theater & Drama Salary Progression
Common Theater & Drama Careers
Actor
Director
Stage Manager
Theater Teacher
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Theater & Drama
#1
Juilliard
#2
NYU Tisch
#3
Carnegie Mellon
#4
Yale
#5
USC
Related Majors
Theater & Drama Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Theater & Drama Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for theater & drama programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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