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

The small sample size here demands caution, but the first-year earnings of $15,602 should concern any parent considering this program. That figure places graduates in the 5th percentile nationally for drama programs—meaning 95% of similar programs produce better immediate outcomes. Even within Ohio's theatre landscape, where this program ranks at the 25th percentile, graduates from Cincinnati and Kent State earn $9,000-10,000 more right out of school.

The 96% earnings growth over four years sounds impressive until you realize it's climbing from an extremely low baseline. By year four, graduates reach $30,585—certainly more livable, but they've spent three years earning well below poverty wages while carrying $22,750 in debt. Compare this trajectory to top Ohio programs where students start near $25,000 and can actually service their loans from day one.

Given fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers might not represent the typical experience. But even accounting for statistical noise, the gap between this program and Ohio's stronger theatre options is too wide to ignore. If your child is committed to studying drama in Ohio, programs at Cincinnati, Kent State, or Youngstown deliver significantly better financial launching pads without requiring you to gamble on outlier outcomes.