Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of Evansville

University of Evansville's theatre program lands squarely in the middle of Indiana's offerings—matching the state median almost exactly—but that same performance puts it well above the national average, where most graduates earn $20,698. The $23,407 first-year salary beats 71% of similar programs nationwide, though among Indiana schools specifically, it's neither a standout nor a disappointment. What's notable here is the debt-to-earnings balance: at just over 1-to-1, graduates face manageable repayment relative to initial income, better than the typical $25,000 in debt seen nationally.

The small cohort size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so they're more of a snapshot than a reliable trend. Still, the fundamentals look reasonable for a theatre degree. Students aren't graduating with outsized debt, and early earnings track with what Indiana's larger programs deliver. The gap to Notre Dame ($37,531) is substantial, but that's comparing to an elite institution—compared to IU Bloomington, Evansville actually comes out ahead.

For parents wondering if this is viable: theatre programs rarely promise high initial earnings, but this one keeps debt in check and delivers middle-of-the-pack outcomes for Indiana. If your child is committed to theatre and drawn to Evansville specifically, the financial setup won't dig them into a deeper hole than most alternatives in-state.