Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
14 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
14
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,245/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #240 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 $551K $546K $503K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.1x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 14 14 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$263,988
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$108,572
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,000
10.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,619
147% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northwestern University's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program produces graduates earning $19,245/yr — within striking distance of the $21,147 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $19,245 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #240 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs, Northwestern University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $47,619 show a 147% jump from the $19,245 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Northwestern University

Only 7% of applicants gain admission to Northwestern University, reflecting elite selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 8,960 in Evanston, IL. The average net cost of $108,572 over four years represents a 59% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwestern 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

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Northwestern University?
A score of 14/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Northwestern University a hidden gem for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft?
After financial aid, the average student pays $108,572 over four years — 59% below the $263,988 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →