Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University's theatre program starts behind the pack but shows something unusual for the arts: meaningful income growth. While graduates earn $20,696 in their first year—landing at just the 40th percentile among Oklahoma theatre programs—they reach $26,439 by year four, a 28% jump that outpaces most peer programs. That puts them within striking distance of OU-Norman's graduates, who start ahead at $26,753.

The $27,000 in student debt sits slightly above both state and national medians for this field, creating a first-year debt ratio of 1.3—manageable but not comfortable. What matters more is the trajectory: theatre programs rarely show sustained earnings growth, but this one does. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests consistent patterns rather than outliers driving the numbers.

For parents wondering whether a theatre degree from OCU justifies the cost, the answer depends on your child's commitment to the long game. They'll likely struggle that first year out, and they'll graduate owing more than most Oklahoma theatre majors. But if they can weather the initial period—perhaps with parental support or supplemental work—they're looking at income that rivals Oklahoma's flagship program by year four. That's actually competitive for this field, where most graduates see flat earnings regardless of where they studied.