Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's theatre program produces typical outcomes for the field, with first-year earnings of $20,818 landing right at the national median and ranking in the 60th percentile within Pennsylvania. That state ranking matters: among 46 Pennsylvania programs, these graduates are earning more than about half their peers, despite the overall modest salary level. The debt load of $27,000 is remarkably low compared to other theatre programs nationally—only 5% of programs graduate students with less debt—which partially offsets the inherent earning challenges in performing arts careers.

The 1.30 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about 16 months of their first year's salary, which is manageable for this field. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. What you're really weighing here is whether your child is committed enough to theatre to accept entry-level earnings around $21,000, understanding that career growth in the arts often depends more on talent, networking, and persistence than the specific degree program.

For families prioritizing financial security, the top Pennsylvania programs like Carnegie Mellon ($32,967) and Slippery Rock ($33,169) show it's possible to earn 50-60% more in this field. But if your student is drawn to IUP's program specifically—perhaps for location, fit, or faculty—the relatively low debt burden makes this a less risky bet than many theatre degrees.