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Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
22
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,306/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.0x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #139 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $429K $434K $412K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.9x 8.0x 7.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 22 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,304
Out-of-state: $123,160 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,339
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

James Madison University's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates start at $24,306/yr — above the $21,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 8.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,000 against $24,306/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #139 ranking among 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs places James Madison University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 25% earnings increase from $24,306 to $30,339 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About James Madison University

A 76% acceptance rate means James Madison University is accessible to most applicants, with 20,497 students enrolled in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison University →

Top Career Paths

Producers and directors $83,480/yr
Fashion designers $80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 270 schools offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft →

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Other Schools

Saint Mary's College of California ($38,160) University of Notre Dame ($37,531) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) University of South Dakota ($33,852) The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($33,169) Carnegie Mellon University ($32,967) University of Colorado Boulder ($32,142)

Other Majors at James Madison University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($81,761) Information Science/Studies ($80,173) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($76,490) Accounting and Related Services ($71,563) Engineering, General ($71,176) Finance and Financial Management Services ($67,849) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,931) Systems Science and Theory ($65,683)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at James Madison University?
At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →