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

The estimated starting salary for Theater & Drama graduates in Kansas City, MO is $37,600 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 94. The national average starting salary for this major is $40,000. Salaries in Kansas City are 6% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Theater & Drama degree worth it in Kansas City?

A Theater & Drama degree in Kansas City has an estimated ROI payback period of 19.3 years, with a projected lifetime return of $-15,312 after subtracting education costs. With 44 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $11,602/year, Kansas City offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 5.8% 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 Kansas City?

The average annual public university tuition in Kansas City is $11,602, while private universities average $28,175/year. Including room and board ($11,026/year), total 4-year costs range from $90,512 at a public school to $156,804 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Kansas City is $15,485/year.

What jobs can Theater & Drama graduates get in Kansas City?

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

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Theater & Drama graduates in Kansas City would pay $1,028/month on an estimated $90,512 in loans, with $32,817 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,771/month but save $17,071 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $37,600, monthly payments would represent 33% of gross monthly income.

Theater & Drama Degree in Kansas City, MO — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$38K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$47K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

19.3 yrs

in Kansas City

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Theater & Drama in Kansas City, MO Overview

Kansas City is one of Missouri's top college towns, with 44 institutions and a student population of 48,810. Public tuition averages $11,602/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 Kansas City is approximately $37,600.

Theater & Drama Salary in Kansas City (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Kansas City's cost of living index of 94 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

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

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$47,000($-3,000 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$61,100($-3,900 vs national)

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

Theater & Drama ROI Calculator for Kansas City

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

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $11,602 | Private avg: $28,175

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Kansas City avg aid: $15,485/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

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

Total Education Cost

$90,512

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$4,700

vs HS diploma in Kansas City

ROI Payback Period

19.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Kansas City

$-15,312

Lifetime earnings premium ($75,200) minus total education cost ($90,512)

Student Loan Payoff for Theater & Drama in Kansas City

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$90,512

Monthly Payment$1,028

Total Interest$32,817

% of Monthly Income33%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$90,512

Monthly Payment$1,771

Total Interest$15,746

Interest Savings$17,071

Colleges in Kansas City for Theater & Drama

University of Missouri-Kansas City

public

$11,602/yr

$46,408 total

Rockhurst University

private

$42,960/yr

$171,840 total

Park University

private

$13,390/yr

$53,560 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Metropolitan Community College

$3,900/yr

Top Employers for Theater & Drama in Kansas City

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

BroadwayFilm StudiosTV NetworksRegional TheatersSchools

Key Kansas City Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Theater & Drama Job Titles

ActorDirectorStage ManagerTheater Teacher

Theater & Drama in Nearby Missouri Cities

St. Louis, MO

$39K starting · COL 97

23 colleges

Springfield, MO

$32K starting · COL 80

5 colleges

Columbia, MO

$34K starting · COL 84

10 colleges

Independence, MO

$34K starting · COL 85.8

5 colleges

Lee's Summit, MO

$38K starting · COL 95.5

4 colleges

OFallon, MO

$35K starting · COL 87.3

4 colleges

St. Joseph, MO

$36K starting · COL 90.4

3 colleges

St. Charles, MO

$33K starting · COL 83.4

3 colleges

Other Humanities Majors in Kansas City

Chinese Studies

$52K 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 Kansas City, MO: 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 Missouri.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Kansas City 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 Kansas City Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Missouri 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 (Missouri)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Missouri programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "missouri 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 Kansas City — 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 Kansas City.

Theater & Drama Overview Colleges in Kansas City All Majors