Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill's theatre program manages something rare: genuinely strong early earnings in a field notorious for financial struggle. At $26,457 in year one, graduates out-earn 95% of theatre programs nationally and place second among North Carolina schools, trailing only Elon's notoriously expensive program—while carrying roughly $10,000 less debt.

The modest debt load of $15,613 is the real story here. That's $9,000 below the state median and $10,000 below what theatre graduates typically carry nationally. Combined with above-average starting earnings, the 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio is genuinely manageable, even in an arts field where income volatility is the norm. For context, most theatre programs leave graduates with debt exceeding their entire first year's salary.

The usual theatre program warnings still apply—these careers rarely follow predictable income trajectories, and year-one earnings don't capture the freelance reality many graduates face. But if your child is committed to theatre and you want to minimize financial risk, this is about as favorable a setup as you'll find. The combination of UNC's brand recognition, Chapel Hill's proximity to the Research Triangle's growing film industry, and relatively light debt gives graduates meaningful breathing room to pursue their craft without crushing financial pressure.