Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of Idaho

University of Idaho's theatre program comes with an asterisk worth noting: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly with just a few data points. That said, the trajectory here looks more promising than the initial salary suggests. Starting at $19,880 puts graduates below the national median but actually above typical Idaho theatre earnings of $18,234—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. More importantly, incomes jump 43% by year four, reaching $28,464, which is well ahead of the typical national trajectory for this field.

The debt picture is cleaner than most theatre programs. At $21,287, graduates borrow less than the national median of $25,000, and the 1.07 debt-to-earnings ratio means the debt is roughly equal to first-year income—manageable in the context of a field where many programs saddle students with far heavier burdens. Still, that first-year salary of $19,880 means tight budgets initially, and this is Moscow, Idaho—not a major theatre market—which may explain why graduates need to hustle or relocate to reach that year-four income level.

For a family comfortable with the modest earnings typical of arts careers, this represents a relatively affordable entry point with decent upward momentum. Just remember the small sample size means the actual experience could vary considerably from these medians.