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

The estimated starting salary for Theater & Drama graduates in Fayetteville, NC is $36,000 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 90. The national average starting salary for this major is $40,000. Salaries in Fayetteville are 10% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Theater & Drama degree worth it in Fayetteville?

A Theater & Drama degree in Fayetteville has an estimated ROI payback period of 14.6 years, with a projected lifetime return of $6,324 after subtracting education costs. With 15 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $5,925/year, Fayetteville offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 4% 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 Fayetteville?

The average annual public university tuition in Fayetteville is $5,925, while private universities average $37,000/year. Including room and board ($10,494/year), total 4-year costs range from $65,676 at a public school to $189,976 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Fayetteville is $14,488/year.

What jobs can Theater & Drama graduates get in Fayetteville?

Theater & Drama graduates in Fayetteville can pursue careers as Actor, Director, Stage Manager, Theater Teacher. Key skills valued by local employers include Acting, Directing, Stage Design, Playwriting. The Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Theater & Drama graduates in Fayetteville would pay $746/month on an estimated $65,676 in loans, with $23,813 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,285/month but save $12,387 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $36,000, monthly payments would represent 25% of gross monthly income.

Theater & Drama Degree in Fayetteville, NC — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$36K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$45K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

14.6 yrs

in Fayetteville

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Theater & Drama in Fayetteville, NC Overview

Fayetteville, North Carolina (pop. 208,501) has 15 colleges offering Theater & Drama programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $877/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 Fayetteville is approximately $36,000.

Theater & Drama Salary in Fayetteville (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Fayetteville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$36,000($-4,000 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$45,000($-5,000 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$58,500($-6,500 vs national)

Note: National average Theater & Drama salary: $40,000 starting, $50,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Fayetteville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.

Theater & Drama ROI Calculator for Fayetteville

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

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $5,925 | Private avg: $37,000

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Fayetteville avg aid: $14,488/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

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

Total Education Cost

$65,676

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$4,500

vs HS diploma in Fayetteville

ROI Payback Period

14.6 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Fayetteville

$6,324

Lifetime earnings premium ($72,000) minus total education cost ($65,676)

Student Loan Payoff for Theater & Drama in Fayetteville

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$65,676

Monthly Payment$746

Total Interest$23,813

% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$65,676

Monthly Payment$1,285

Total Interest$11,426

Interest Savings$12,387

Colleges in Fayetteville for Theater & Drama

Fayetteville State University

public

$5,925/yr

$23,700 total

Methodist University

private

$37,000/yr

$148,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Fayetteville Technical Community College

$2,864/yr

Top Employers for Theater & Drama in Fayetteville

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

BroadwayFilm StudiosTV NetworksRegional TheatersSchools

Key Fayetteville Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Theater & Drama Job Titles

ActorDirectorStage ManagerTheater Teacher

Theater & Drama in Nearby North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC

$36K starting · COL 89

39 colleges

Raleigh, NC

$33K starting · COL 83

21 colleges

Greensboro, NC

$36K starting · COL 91

17 colleges

Durham, NC

$44K starting · COL 109

25 colleges

Winston-Salem, NC

$42K starting · COL 106

26 colleges

Cary, NC

$43K starting · COL 108.5

7 colleges

Wilmington, NC

$38K starting · COL 95

5 colleges

High Point, NC

$34K starting · COL 84.5

5 colleges

Other Humanities Majors in Fayetteville

Chinese Studies

$50K starting · 4 yr ROI

Linguistics

$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Philosophy

$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

Foreign Languages & Literatures

$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

English

$38K starting · 7 yr ROI

History

$40K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Classical Studies

$41K starting · 6 yr ROI

Classics

$45K starting · 8 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Theater & Drama degree outcomes in Fayetteville, NC: 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 North Carolina.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), North Carolina 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 (North Carolina)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — North Carolina programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "north carolina 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 Fayetteville — 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 Fayetteville.

Theater & Drama Overview Colleges in Fayetteville All Majors