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

The estimated starting salary for Theater & Drama graduates in Houston, TX is $46,000 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 115. The national average starting salary for this major is $40,000. Salaries in Houston are 15% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Theater & Drama degree worth it in Houston?

A Theater & Drama degree in Houston has an estimated ROI payback period of 16.5 years, with a projected lifetime return of $-2,880 after subtracting education costs. With 90 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $10,200/year, Houston offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 5.2% 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 Houston?

The average annual public university tuition in Houston is $10,200, while private universities average $56,280/year. Including room and board ($13,520/year), total 4-year costs range from $94,880 at a public school to $279,200 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Houston is $13,081/year.

What jobs can Theater & Drama graduates get in Houston?

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

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Theater & Drama graduates in Houston would pay $1,077/month on an estimated $94,880 in loans, with $34,401 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,856/month but save $17,895 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $46,000, monthly payments would represent 28% of gross monthly income.

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

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

Starting Salary

$46K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$58K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

16.5 yrs

in Houston

Cost of Living

115

index (100 = avg)

Theater & Drama in Houston, TX Overview

Houston is one of Texas's top college towns, with 90 institutions and a student population of 71,513. Public tuition averages $10,200/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Houston is approximately $46,000.

Theater & Drama Salary in Houston (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Houston's cost of living index of 115 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$46,000(+$6,000 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$57,500(+$7,500 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$74,750(+$9,750 vs national)

Note: National average Theater & Drama salary: $40,000 starting, $50,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Houston adjustment factor: 1.15x based on the local cost of living index.

Theater & Drama ROI Calculator for Houston

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

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $56,280

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Houston avg aid: $13,081/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

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

Total Education Cost

$94,880

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$5,750

vs HS diploma in Houston

ROI Payback Period

16.5 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Houston

$-2,880

Lifetime earnings premium ($92,000) minus total education cost ($94,880)

Student Loan Payoff for Theater & Drama in Houston

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$94,880

Monthly Payment$1,077

Total Interest$34,401

% of Monthly Income28%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$94,880

Monthly Payment$1,856

Total Interest$16,506

Interest Savings$17,895

Colleges in Houston for Theater & Drama

University of Houston

public

$11,164/yr

$44,656 total

Rice University

private

$56,280/yr

$225,120 total

Texas Southern University

public

$9,236/yr

$36,944 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Houston Community College

$2,688/yr

Top Employers for Theater & Drama in Houston

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

BroadwayFilm StudiosTV NetworksRegional TheatersSchools

Key Houston 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

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

Arlington, TX

$37K starting · COL 93.5

14 colleges

Corpus Christi, TX

$33K starting · COL 82

22 colleges

Plano, TX

$34K starting · COL 85

9 colleges

Other Humanities Majors in Houston

Chinese Studies

$63K starting · 4 yr ROI

Linguistics

$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Philosophy

$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

Foreign Languages & Literatures

$58K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

English

$48K starting · 7 yr ROI

History

$51K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Classical Studies

$52K starting · 6 yr ROI

Classics

$58K starting · 8 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Theater & Drama degree outcomes in Houston, 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston — 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 Houston.

Theater & Drama Overview Colleges in Houston All Majors