Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Among Minnesota's theatre programs, this one initially outperforms—graduates earn about the state median right after college, and those first-year earnings rank in the 81st percentile nationally. That's genuinely strong positioning for a field where the national median sits around $21,000. The debt load of roughly $25,000 keeps the immediate financial picture manageable, with graduates earning about what they owe.

But here's the troubling part: by year four, earnings drop to $18,318, falling well below both state and national medians. That's a 26% decline when most careers should be building momentum. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes it hard to know if this represents typical career paths in regional Minnesota theatre markets or just reflects a handful of individual circumstances. Are graduates moving into teaching roles, shifting careers, or cycling between gigs? Without more data, it's impossible to say.

If your child is committed to theatre, this program at least doesn't saddle them with catastrophic debt, and the regional reputation seems decent. However, the earnings trajectory suggests either precarious employment or a common pivot away from performance work. Have direct conversations about realistic career paths in Minnesota's arts scene and whether those align with your child's financial goals beyond graduation day.