Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $17,985 track close to the $21,147 national median for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 10.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $20,500 debt load exceeds a year of the $17,985 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #154 out of 270 programs, University of Maryland-College Park's financial outcomes for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $17,985 to $38,656 over five years (115% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.