Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Savannah College of Art and Design

SCAD's theatre program starts at barely above minimum wage—$20,532 in year one—but here's what matters: four years later, graduates are earning $31,457, a 53% jump that suggests many find their footing in the industry. Among Georgia theatre programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, outperforming the state median of $18,769 and sitting just below Kennesaw State's $21,556.

The $27,000 debt load is notable not because it's high in absolute terms, but because of where it stands relative to other theatre programs nationwide—in the 5th percentile, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt. When your child graduates into an industry where most entry-level work barely pays the bills, starting with manageable debt becomes crucial. That first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.32 is tight but workable, especially given the earnings trajectory.

The reality check: this is still a theatre degree with all the financial uncertainty that entails. But if your child is committed to this path, SCAD offers better-than-average earnings growth in Georgia and lower debt than nearly every competing program. The question isn't whether this leads to immediate financial security—it doesn't. It's whether the combination of SCAD's industry connections and relatively modest borrowing gives graduates enough runway to build a sustainable career.