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

The $15,602 first-year earnings here rank at just the 5th percentile nationally for theatre programs—dramatically lower than even modest expectations for this field. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers may not represent a typical outcome, the data suggests a particularly difficult launch into what's already a financially challenging profession. Among Ohio's 44 theatre programs, this lands at the 25th percentile, trailing programs at Cincinnati ($25,070) and Kent State ($24,565) by substantial margins.

The nearly $23,000 debt burden becomes especially concerning when paired with those initial earnings—students are graduating with debts exceeding their first year's income by 46%. Even with strong growth to $30,585 by year four (a 96% increase that's actually impressive for theatre), graduates face years of financial pressure that could limit their ability to pursue artistic opportunities or afford basic living expenses in their field.

Given the small cohort size, these figures might not capture the full range of outcomes. However, for parents considering this investment, the pattern suggests significant risk. If theatre is the goal, exploring programs with stronger initial placement—like those at Ohio's larger campuses—would likely provide better financial footing during the critical early career years when many theatre professionals establish themselves.