Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Cornish College of the Arts

Cornish's theater program produces graduates earning roughly $3,500 less than the typical Washington theater graduate—landing in the bottom quarter of programs statewide. With first-year earnings of $19,045, graduates here make less than peers at public alternatives like Central Washington ($24,674) and Western Washington ($24,258), despite carrying similar debt loads. At $27,000 in debt, graduates face monthly payments that consume a substantial portion of already modest paychecks.

The 17% earnings growth to $22,333 by year four offers some relief, but graduates still trail the state median significantly. Theater degrees rarely promise lucrative careers, but location matters: Seattle's thriving arts scene means Washington theater grads typically earn more than the national average. Cornish students aren't capitalizing on that advantage. For a specialized arts college with a 70% admission rate, these outcomes suggest the premium tuition isn't translating to better employment connections or opportunities.

If your child is absolutely committed to theater, the public universities showing stronger numbers deserve serious consideration. They offer comparable training with lower price tags and better earning trajectories. Cornish might provide an intimate arts-focused environment, but that comes at a measurable financial cost that extends well beyond graduation.