Theater & Drama Degree in Henderson, NV — Salary & ROI 2026
Theater & Drama degree analysis for Henderson, NV. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
14.3 yrs
in Henderson
Cost of Living
129
index (100 = avg)
Theater & Drama in Henderson, NV Overview
Henderson, Nevada (pop. 320,189) has 12 colleges offering Theater & Drama programs. The local cost of living index of 129 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,783/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 Henderson is approximately $51,600.
Category
Humanities
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$6,030/yr
Private Tuition
$44,348/yr
Room & Board
$16,991/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,099/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
57%
Theater & Drama Salary in Henderson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Henderson's cost of living index of 129 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Theater & Drama salary: $40,000 starting, $50,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Henderson adjustment factor: 1.29x based on the local cost of living index.
Theater & Drama ROI Calculator for Henderson
Estimate your return on investment for a Theater & Drama degree using local Henderson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,030 | Private avg: $44,348
Henderson avg aid: $7,099/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,084
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$6,450
vs HS diploma in Henderson
ROI Payback Period
14.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Henderson
$11,116
Lifetime earnings premium ($103,200) minus total education cost ($92,084)
Student Loan Payoff for Theater & Drama in Henderson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Henderson for Theater & Drama
Nevada State University
public
$6,030/yr
$24,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
College of Southern Nevada Henderson
$3,420/yr
Top Employers for Theater & Drama in Henderson
Henderson offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for Theater & Drama graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Henderson Hiring Sectors for Humanities
Publishing
Non-profits
Education
Media companies
Government
Common Theater & Drama Job Titles
Theater & Drama in Nearby Nevada Cities
Las Vegas, NV
$46K starting · COL 115
45 colleges
Reno, NV
$46K starting · COL 116
21 colleges
North Las Vegas, NV
$39K starting · COL 98.5
10 colleges
Spring Valley, NV
$40K starting · COL 100.2
8 colleges
Sunrise Manor, NV
$38K starting · COL 95.8
7 colleges
Paradise, NV
$40K starting · COL 100.5
7 colleges
Enterprise, NV
$42K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Sparks, NV
$42K starting · COL 105.2
5 colleges
Other Humanities Majors in Henderson
Chinese Studies
$71K starting · 4 yr ROI
Linguistics
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Philosophy
$57K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Foreign Languages & Literatures
$65K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
English
$54K starting · 7 yr ROI
History
$57K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Classical Studies
$58K starting · 6 yr ROI
Classics
$65K starting · 8 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Theater & Drama degree outcomes in Henderson, NV: 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 Nevada.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Henderson 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 Henderson Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Nevada 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:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Nevada programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "nevada higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
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 Henderson — 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 Henderson.