Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of Southern California

USC's theater program costs significantly less than you'd expect from a highly selective private university—just $12,000 in median debt compared to $25,000 nationally and $17,235 for California theater programs. That's the good news. The challenge is that graduates start at $21,473, below what many entry-level retail jobs pay in Los Angeles. While earnings climb 26% to $27,139 by year four, this remains well below what some California State campuses achieve with their theater programs.

The numbers tell a common story for theater degrees: you're paying for the USC network and training, not immediate earning power. This program ranks around the middle nationally (56th percentile) but slightly better within California's competitive theater landscape (60th percentile). However, top programs like Saint Mary's College show theater grads can earn $38,000 within a year, suggesting the field offers more earning potential than USC's network delivers—at least in the short term.

For families who can afford USC without significant borrowing, the low debt figure makes this manageable as part of a broader arts career trajectory. But if your student needs substantial loans beyond the $12,000 median, the math becomes problematic quickly. Theater careers often take years to build, and starting at $21,473 in an expensive city like LA leaves little margin for error.