Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of North Texas

For a theater degree, UNT's program punches well above its weight class nationally—graduates earn 36% more than the typical theater grad one year out, placing them in the 95th percentile among 891 programs nationwide. That $28,236 starting salary grows to $35,441 by year four, a 26% increase that suggests graduates are successfully building careers rather than stalling out. The $25,000 debt load sits right at the national median for this field, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0 even in year one.

The Texas context matters here, though: while UNT leads most theater programs nationally, it falls in the middle of the pack statewide (60th percentile), trailing UT Austin by about $5,000. Still, it's competitive with larger programs like Texas Tech and beats half the state's offerings. For parents weighing options, this means your student gets nationally competitive training and outcomes at a school with a 72% acceptance rate—far more accessible than the handful of elite programs that edge it out in Texas.

The math works. Theater degrees typically struggle financially, but UNT's graduates are entering a field they presumably love while keeping debt manageable and earnings growing. If your child is committed to theater, this program delivers better financial outcomes than 95% of similar programs nationwide without requiring elite credentials to get in.