Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's theatre program graduates earn just $17,381 in their first year—well below both the already-modest national average of $20,698 and lagging behind University of Maryland-College Park by about $600. While Maryland's theatre programs generally struggle with early earnings, this program ranks at only the 40th percentile statewide, meaning most other Maryland theatre programs produce better immediate outcomes. The debt load of $18,812 is relatively manageable compared to the national median of $25,000, but with a debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0, graduates owe more than they earn in year one.

The silver lining here is the low debt burden, which keeps this program from crossing into truly problematic territory. Many theatre programs saddle graduates with $30,000+ in loans, making UMBC's financial aid approach more responsible. Still, $17,381 is barely above minimum wage work, and ranking in just the 19th percentile nationally suggests this program isn't opening doors that self-teaching and community theatre couldn't.

If your child is determined to study theatre, understand they're choosing passion over early paychecks regardless of school. UMBC's lower debt means they'll have more flexibility to pursue artistic work without crushing loan payments, but they should plan on side income or expect lean years while building their career. The admission rate and solid SAT scores suggest decent academic peers, though that matters less in performance fields than raw talent and networking.