Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Columbus State University

Columbus State's theatre program faces a critical challenge: graduates earn just under $19,000 in their first year, then see that already-modest income drop by 5% over the next three years. While the program performs at the state median and serves a largely working-class student body (44% receive Pell grants), the declining earnings trajectory raises questions about career sustainability in this field.

The debt picture compounds this concern. Graduates leave owing nearly $26,000—meaning they're carrying debt equal to 1.4 years of first-year income. At these earnings levels, even Georgia's relatively low cost of living won't make loan payments comfortable. Among Georgia's theatre programs, Columbus State sits mid-pack, with Kennesaw State, UGA, and SCAD graduates earning $2,000-$3,000 more annually. That gap matters when you're starting below $20,000.

For a student passionate about theatre, this program requires clear-eyed planning. The combination of below-$20,000 starting salaries, declining earnings, and $26,000 in debt means your child would need either family financial support, a strong side income stream, or graduate school plans that lead to better-paying roles. Without one of these safety nets, the financial pressure could force them out of the field they trained for.