Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Stephens College

Stephens College graduates in theatre arts face a troubling financial reality that sets them apart from their Missouri peers. While theatre is rarely a lucrative field immediately after graduation, this program's first-year earnings of $16,476 fall thousands below even the state median of $20,386—landing in just the 25th percentile among Missouri theatre programs. The $27,000 in typical debt means graduates owe 1.6 times what they earn in their first year, creating a significant burden for jobs that often pay barely above minimum wage.

The modest 13% earnings growth to year four offers little relief, bringing median pay only to $18,669—still well below what graduates from Missouri Western State, Lindenwood, or Missouri State earn right out of college. While some theatre graduates eventually transition into adjacent fields with better pay, the data suggests this program's alumni struggle more than most to gain that footing, ranking in just the 11th percentile nationally.

For families considering this program, the math is stark: if your child is passionate about theatre, they'll likely find similar training at Missouri State or University of Central Missouri while graduating into materially better earnings prospects. The 92% admission rate suggests Stephens isn't highly selective, so there's no prestige premium justifying the financial tradeoff. Unless your family can cover most costs without loans, this program presents genuine hardship risk during the critical early career years when graduates need flexibility to pursue opportunities and build their craft.