Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

UNH's theatre program stands out nationally, with first-year earnings 20% above the national median for drama degrees and ranking in the 82nd percentile—notably outperforming most of the 891 schools offering this major. The $27,000 in debt is quite manageable for a theatre degree, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at a reasonable 1.09. Within New Hampshire, this program sits at the 60th percentile, meaning it's above average but not the state's strongest option—though with only five programs statewide, there's limited in-state competition.

The bigger question is whether these numbers work for your family's expectations. Starting at $24,830 is challenging regardless of how it compares to other theatre programs, and the modest 6% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates aren't rapidly transitioning into higher-paying creative or technical roles. Theatre degrees rarely lead to high early-career salaries, but UNH's version appears to provide better outcomes than most. The relatively low debt load (5th percentile nationally) means graduates aren't saddled with payments that would make pursuing arts careers financially impossible.

If your child is committed to theatre and likely to attend a New Hampshire school anyway, UNH offers a safer financial path than most drama programs nationwide. The debt is controllable, and the program demonstrates it can help graduates find paying work in a notoriously difficult field. Just ensure everyone understands the income realities upfront.