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

At $29,596 four years out, UW-Whitewater's theatre program outearns 79% of similar programs nationwide—a legitimately strong showing in a field where financial viability often concerns parents. The typical graduate leaves with $29,776 in debt, which sits well below the national median for theatre programs and translates to a manageable 1.22 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation.

Within Wisconsin, this program ranks solidly in the middle of the pack (60th percentile), trailing Carthage but ahead of UW-Milwaukee and most other state options. The 21% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates gain traction as they establish themselves professionally. For a field notorious for financial struggle, these numbers show graduates earning enough to service their debt without the crushing burden seen at many theatre programs.

The caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual. Still, if your child is committed to theatre, this program delivers better-than-average financial outcomes at a price point that won't create unmanageable debt. That's about as good as the risk-reward gets in this field.