Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of North Carolina Wilmington

UNCW's theatre program tells a familiar story about arts degrees: challenging first-year earnings that improve meaningfully over time. Starting at $20,450, graduates earn slightly below the North Carolina median of $21,112 and land in the 40th percentile among state programs—meaning more than half of NC theatre programs produce stronger initial outcomes. UNC Chapel Hill's program, for comparison, shows first-year earnings 29% higher.

The encouraging news is the 57% earnings jump to $32,012 by year four, suggesting graduates find their footing in the industry. The $25,000 debt load is moderate—exactly at the national median—resulting in a manageable 1.22 debt-to-earnings ratio. Still, that first year requires careful financial planning, as graduates earn just $1,700 monthly before taxes.

The real caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, which means a few high or low earners could skew these numbers substantially. For parents weighing this program, the takeaway is realistic expectations about the early-career grind in theatre work, coupled with recognition that UNCW doesn't appear to offer special advantages over other NC options. If your child is committed to theatre, having a financial cushion for those first lean years matters more than the specific school.