Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Theatre graduates from UW-Milwaukee face a difficult first year—earning $20,455, they'll struggle to service even the program's relatively modest $27,000 debt load. What makes this program interesting is the trajectory: earnings jump 47% by year four to $30,055, suggesting graduates who stick with the field find their footing. But here's the challenge—even with that growth, starting earnings land in just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin theatre programs. Students at Carthage College, for instance, earn 40% more right out of the gate.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at the 5th percentile nationally, UW-Milwaukee theatre students borrow significantly less than peers at most programs. That matters when you're earning $20,000 in year one. Still, the program trails the Wisconsin median for theatre earnings by about $2,500, meaning roughly three in five Wisconsin theatre programs send graduates into better-paying early opportunities.

For families considering this path, understand you're looking at years of financial constraint while your student establishes themselves. The strong earnings growth suggests perseverance pays off, but the below-median Wisconsin performance means UW-Milwaukee doesn't offer a competitive advantage within the state. If theatre is truly the calling, the lower debt load makes this more manageable than many alternatives—just ensure your student has realistic expectations about those early years and potentially a financial cushion to get through them.