Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Baylor University

Baylor's theatre program starts at a difficult $20,267 first-year salary—about $5,000 below the Texas median for drama graduates. That 25th percentile ranking among Texas programs is a red flag, especially when the median Texas graduate earns $25,050 and top programs like UT Austin place graduates earning $33,000+. At a selective private university with an average SAT of 1313, these outcomes trail what families might expect from peer institutions.

The 38% earnings growth to $28,000 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, though graduates still lag behind most Texas competitors. The $24,130 in debt sits near both state and national medians, but when paired with that low starting salary, it creates a difficult first few years financially. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.19 means graduates owe more than their entire first year's income—manageable for some fields, but particularly challenging in theatre where early-career earnings are already modest.

For families considering this program, the question is whether Baylor's broader institutional value—its network, campus resources, and educational environment—justifies starting behind three-quarters of Texas theatre programs financially. If your child is serious about regional theatre or performance work in Texas specifically, several public universities deliver stronger salary outcomes with similar or lower debt loads.