Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's theatre program stands out in a field where most graduates struggle financially. While the immediate post-graduation salary of $22,369 is modest, this program ranks above 60% of Missouri theatre programs and 63% nationally—meaningful distinctions in a major where the national median barely breaks $20,000. More importantly, earnings jump 51% to nearly $34,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are successfully establishing themselves in the industry.

The $25,250 debt load is nearly identical to what theatre graduates carry nationwide, but Missouri State students are better positioned to handle it. That 1.13 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one drops considerably as income grows, and the program already sits in the middle of the pack nationally for debt burden. Among Missouri's theatre programs, Missouri State produces the second-highest earners after Missouri Western, and significantly outpaces larger names like Webster University.

For parents worried about return on investment, this is one of the stronger theatre programs in the region. Your child won't get rich, but they'll have better job prospects than most theatre graduates—and they're not taking on outsized debt to get there. The earnings trajectory matters here: graduates who stick with theatre-related work appear to find steadier footing after those challenging first years.