Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of New Orleans

Theater graduates from University of New Orleans start at roughly the national average but experience remarkable earnings growth, jumping 75% to $37,524 by year four—a trajectory that significantly outpaces the typical career path in this field. Among Louisiana's nine theater programs, UNO ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, sitting above LSU's graduates and well ahead of Northwestern State's $16,973 median.

The first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.02 looks manageable compared to many arts programs, and the moderate debt load of about $22,000 matches the state median. What matters here is the earnings momentum: by year four, graduates are earning nearly double their starting salary, suggesting the program successfully prepares students to advance beyond entry-level theater work. Whether that means transitioning into arts administration, technical theater roles, or adjacent creative fields, something clicks for these graduates in their early career years.

For parents weighing this investment, the key question is whether your child can weather those lean first couple years while building experience. The strong four-year earnings suggest staying in the New Orleans creative economy pays off for UNO theater graduates, but there's no escaping that initial $21,500 salary. If your student is passionate about theater and willing to hustle through the early stages—possibly with family support or side income—the upward trajectory here is genuinely promising compared to theater programs nationally.