Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Nebraska Wesleyan University

Nebraska Wesleyan's theatre program graduates earn nearly $24,000 their first year—about 14% above the national median for theatre majors and slightly ahead of Nebraska's state median. That 73rd percentile national ranking suggests relatively strong outcomes for this field. The $27,000 in typical debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.14, which is manageable compared to many arts programs, and the debt load sits at just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt.

The challenge is what happens after graduation: earnings essentially flatline over the first four years at around $24,000. For context, this is a theatre degree—expectations should be realistic about income potential in this field. What matters here is the debt picture, which is genuinely favorable. At $27,000, a graduate faces monthly payments around $300 on standard repayment, which is tight but workable on these earnings, especially compared to peers at other schools who might owe $35,000 or more.

One important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. For a family committed to theatre training, Nebraska Wesleyan offers a path with less financial burden than most alternatives, though they should expect their graduate to need supplemental income or side work in the early career years—a reality for most working artists regardless of where they train.