What is the starting salary for Theater & Drama graduates in Arlington?

The estimated starting salary for Theater & Drama graduates in Arlington, TX is $37,400 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 93.5. The national average starting salary for this major is $40,000. Salaries in Arlington are 6% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Theater & Drama degree worth it in Arlington?

A Theater & Drama degree in Arlington has an estimated ROI payback period of 21.8 years, with a projected lifetime return of $-27,308 after subtracting education costs. With 14 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $10,900/year, Arlington offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 3.3% and the major's national unemployment rate of 6% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Theater & Drama in Arlington?

The average annual public university tuition in Arlington is $10,900, while private universities average $36,000/year. Including room and board ($14,627/year), total 4-year costs range from $102,108 at a public school to $202,508 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Arlington is $14,822/year.

What jobs can Theater & Drama graduates get in Arlington?

Theater & Drama graduates in Arlington can pursue careers as Actor, Director, Stage Manager, Theater Teacher. Key skills valued by local employers include Acting, Directing, Stage Design, Playwriting. The Arlington job market features Publishing, Non-profits, Education among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Broadway, Film Studios, TV Networks.

How long to pay off student loans for Theater & Drama in Arlington?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Theater & Drama graduates in Arlington would pay $1,159/month on an estimated $102,108 in loans, with $37,022 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,998/month but save $19,258 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $37,400, monthly payments would represent 37% of gross monthly income.

Theater & Drama Degree in Arlington, TX — Salary & ROI 2026

Theater & Drama degree analysis for Arlington, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$37K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$47K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

21.8 yrs

in Arlington

Cost of Living

93.5

index (100 = avg)

Theater & Drama in Arlington, TX Overview

Arlington, Texas (pop. 394,266) has 14 colleges offering Theater & Drama programs. The local cost of living index of 93.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $795/month. Although national enrollment in Theater & Drama has been declining, graduates with skills in Acting and Directing remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Arlington is approximately $37,400.

Theater & Drama Salary in Arlington (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Arlington's cost of living index of 93.5 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$37,400($-2,600 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$46,750($-3,250 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$60,775($-4,225 vs national)

Note: National average Theater & Drama salary: $40,000 starting, $50,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Arlington adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.

Theater & Drama ROI Calculator for Arlington

Estimate your return on investment for a Theater & Drama degree using local Arlington tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Arlington avg aid: $14,822/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$102,108

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$4,675

vs HS diploma in Arlington

ROI Payback Period

21.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Arlington

$-27,308

Lifetime earnings premium ($74,800) minus total education cost ($102,108)

Student Loan Payoff for Theater & Drama in Arlington

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$102,108

Monthly Payment$1,159

Total Interest$37,022

% of Monthly Income37%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$102,108

Monthly Payment$1,998

Total Interest$17,764

Interest Savings$19,258

Colleges in Arlington for Theater & Drama

Arlington State University

public

$11,254/yr

$45,016 total

University of Arlington

public

$12,320/yr

$49,280 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Arlington Community College

$5,331/yr

Texas Technical College - Arlington

$5,252/yr

Top Employers for Theater & Drama in Arlington

Arlington offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for Theater & Drama graduates. National top employers in this field include:

BroadwayFilm StudiosTV NetworksRegional TheatersSchools

Key Arlington Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Theater & Drama Job Titles

ActorDirectorStage ManagerTheater Teacher

Theater & Drama in Nearby Texas Cities

Houston, TX

$46K starting · COL 115

90 colleges

San Antonio, TX

$48K starting · COL 120

58 colleges

Dallas, TX

$42K starting · COL 104

82 colleges

Austin, TX

$43K starting · COL 107

30 colleges

Fort Worth, TX

$40K starting · COL 101

19 colleges

El Paso, TX

$37K starting · COL 93

38 colleges

Corpus Christi, TX

$33K starting · COL 82

22 colleges

Plano, TX

$34K starting · COL 85

9 colleges

Other Humanities Majors in Arlington

Chinese Studies

$51K starting · 4 yr ROI

Linguistics

$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Philosophy

$41K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

Foreign Languages & Literatures

$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

English

$39K starting · 7 yr ROI

History

$41K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Classical Studies

$42K starting · 6 yr ROI

Classics

$47K starting · 8 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Theater & Drama degree outcomes in Arlington, TX: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Theater & Drama programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Texas.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Arlington using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Theater & Drama graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Theater & Drama career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Theater & Drama grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Arlington Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Texas students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Texas)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Texas programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "texas higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Theater & Drama Degree in Arlington — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Theater & Drama ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Arlington.

Theater & Drama Overview Colleges in Arlington All Majors