Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at DeSales University

The first year after graduation is exceptionally difficult for DeSales theatre graduates, with a median income of just $17,377—well below both the national and Pennsylvania medians for this major. Even in a field known for tough early-career prospects, this ranks in the bottom fifth nationally. The $27,000 debt burden, while typical for Pennsylvania theatre programs, represents 1.5 years of first-year income.

The 69% earnings jump to $29,418 by year four offers some relief and brings graduates closer to competitive levels, though they still trail the state's top programs significantly (Carnegie Mellon and Slippery Rock graduates earn over $32,000). Within Pennsylvania's theatre landscape, DeSales sits squarely in the middle—better than some programs but far behind the leaders. The admission profile suggests solid but not exceptional selectivity, which may explain the modest network effects compared to Carnegie Mellon's industry connections.

This program makes financial sense only if your child has family support to weather those lean early years or enters with minimal need for loans. The combination of below-poverty first-year earnings and typical Pennsylvania debt loads creates real hardship for graduates managing loan payments while building theatre careers. If your child is committed to theatre, they should seriously consider the higher-earning Pennsylvania alternatives or plan for substantial financial cushioning during the critical post-graduation period.