Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus

The small sample size here demands caution, but the pattern is troubling: graduates start at just $15,602—below minimum wage for full-time work—and even after four years only reach $30,585. Among Ohio's 44 theater programs, this ranks at the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable in-state options produce stronger earnings. The $22,750 in debt isn't astronomical, but it represents nearly 18 months of first-year earnings, creating immediate financial stress for graduates trying to establish themselves in notoriously low-paying theater careers.

The 96% earnings growth sounds impressive until you realize it means climbing from poverty-level wages to barely sustainable income. Even Ohio State's regional Lima campus—not exactly a theatrical powerhouse—sees graduates earning $23,920 immediately, over 50% more than Chillicothe's first-year figure. For families considering this program, the question isn't whether their child will "make it" in theater—it's whether they can survive the years of financial struggle that these numbers suggest.

If your student is committed to theater, other Ohio programs offer better economic outcomes without necessarily sacrificing artistic training. The Chillicothe campus may provide value in other ways, but these earnings suggest graduates face an uphill battle that begins on day one.