Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $16,476/yr fall 22% below the $21,147 national median for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
An earnings multiple of 3.5x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
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 1% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $27,000 against $16,476/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.6 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #217 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs, Stephens College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.