Program Analysis
At $19,490/yr, Theater & Drama graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University land near the $21,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The financial case is thin at 2.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Theater & Drama's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $27,000 against $19,490/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.4 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #250 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, Illinois Wesleyan University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $30,435 show a 56% jump from the $19,490 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.