Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at American University

American University's theatre program defies the typical struggling-artist narrative, at least within the DC market. While $24,000 in first-year earnings isn't impressive in absolute terms, it beats three-quarters of similar theatre programs nationally and sits at the 60th percentile among DC's handful of theatre degrees. More importantly, graduates see meaningful income growth—46% by year four—suggesting they're building sustainable careers rather than stringing together gigs indefinitely.

The debt picture is manageable for a private university. At roughly $25,000, it matches both national and DC medians for theatre programs, and the 1.04 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about what they earn in their first year. That's not ideal, but it's worlds better than many arts programs where debt can hit twice annual earnings or more. The stronger earnings trajectory helps: by year four, when debt payments are in full swing, typical graduates are earning $35,000.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary widely. Theatre careers are notoriously unpredictable, and these numbers might shift significantly year to year. Still, if your child is committed to pursuing theatre and willing to hustle through lean early years, American's program appears to deliver better-than-average preparation for actually earning a living in the field, particularly within DC's arts scene.