Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn a median $39,775 four years after finishing — at or below the $48,360 high-school baseline, so on national medians the degree does not clear a typical bill on earnings alone. Where you study and the specific role matter more here than the field average. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ranks #202 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 1% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre Dame | IN | $64,880 |
| 2 | Brandeis University | MA | $58,676 |
| 3 | University of California-Davis | CA | $56,823 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley | CA | $55,555 |
| 5 | Drake University | IA | $54,950 |
| 6 | Miami University-Oxford | OH | $54,215 |
| 7 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | OH | $54,000 |
| 8 | Florida Southern College | FL | $51,925 |
| 9 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | PA | $51,775 |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | PA | $51,775 |
| 11 | Chapman University | CA | $51,611 |
| 12 | Western Connecticut State University | CT | $50,955 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.