Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State's theatre program shows impressive earnings growth—graduates see their income jump 67% by year four to $36,563—but it starts from a concerning baseline of just $21,858 in the first year. That's actually slightly above the national median for theatre programs, but falls short of Texas's typical outcomes ($25,050). Among the state's 43 theatre programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten Texas theatre programs deliver better initial earnings.

The debt load of $22,250 is more manageable than you'll find at many schools, coming in below both state and national medians. Still, graduates face debt roughly equal to their entire first-year salary—a tight squeeze when living expenses hit. That 40% Pell grant enrollment suggests many students here are taking a genuine financial risk on this degree.

The trajectory is worth noting: by year four, earnings climb to a more livable level, but theatre careers are notoriously unpredictable. If your child is serious about pursuing theatre professionally, they should know they're looking at lean years initially, even with the upward trend. Programs at UT Austin or Stephen F. Austin deliver $7,000-$11,000 more right out of the gate, which matters when you're trying to make rent and loan payments simultaneously.