Location: Saint Joseph, MO•In-State Tuition: $9,800•Out-of-State Tuition: $17,500
Median Earnings (1yr)Small sample
$26,929
95th percentile
80th percentile in Missouri
Est. Median DebtEstimated
$23,500
Est. from national median (167 programs)
Sample: 16 graduates Limited data

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Where Missouri Western State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all drama/theatre arts and stagecraft bachelors's programs nationally

Missouri Western State University (estimated ±10%)Other drama/theatre arts and stagecraft programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Missouri Western State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Missouri Western State University earns $27k — 95th percentile among drama/theatre arts and stagecraft bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (29 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph$9,800$26,929—$23,500*—
Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles$21,100$25,083$33,381$27,000*1.08
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield$9,024$22,369$33,759$25,250*1.13
University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$9,739$18,403$27,686—*—
Stephens CollegeColumbia$28,200$16,476$18,669$27,000*1.64
Webster UniversitySaint Louis$30,730$13,182$25,277$26,000*1.97
National Median—$20,698—$25,000*1.21
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with drama/theatre arts and stagecraft graduates

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Producers and Directors

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Media Programming Directors

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Talent Directors

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Media Technical Directors/Managers

Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Music Directors and Composers

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

$63,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Actors

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Jobs growth:Some college, no degree

Dancers

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

Jobs growth:

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About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Missouri Western State University, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.