Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of Miami

University of Miami's theatre program posts numbers that trail nearly every comparable option in Florida, despite the school's selective 19% admission rate and strong academic profile. First-year earnings of $16,561 rank in just the 11th percentile nationally and fall $3,600 below Florida's state median for theatre programs—meaning three-quarters of Florida theatre graduates earn more. Meanwhile, students here are taking on $19,000 in debt, which is lower than many programs but still represents more than a full year's initial earnings.

The comparison to other Florida schools is particularly stark: University of South Florida theatre graduates earn $24,732 their first year—nearly 50% more—while UCF, USF, and even smaller programs like Flagler consistently produce starting salaries above $23,000. Given that many students attend Miami for its prestige and network advantages, these outcomes suggest those benefits aren't translating into theatre career opportunities, at least in the first year.

The small sample size here matters—with under 30 graduates tracked, one or two struggling careers could skew the entire picture. But even accounting for statistical noise, it's hard to justify Miami's premium when nearly every public university theatre program in Florida delivers substantially better first-year earnings. If your child is drawn to this program specifically, understand you're paying for the Miami experience and credential, not measurable career advantages in theatre.