Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Utah Valley University

Can a theatre degree launch a viable career without crushing debt? Utah Valley's program suggests yes—though the small sample size means these numbers could shift considerably year to year.

At $16,510 in typical debt, this program costs about $9,000 less than the national median for theatre programs, placing it in the 95th percentile for affordability. That's a meaningful advantage in a field where most graduates face steeper financial burdens. First-year earnings of $23,896 beat three-quarters of theatre programs nationally, and the 32% earnings jump to $31,525 by year four shows graduates are gaining traction. Among Utah's eight theatre programs, this ranks solidly in the middle—behind Southern Utah's stronger outcomes but ahead of larger schools like University of Utah.

The catch? We're looking at fewer than 30 recent graduates, so one exceptional (or struggling) cohort could dramatically change these figures. Still, the fundamental value proposition holds: you're getting above-average theatre training at well-below-average cost. For families worried about financing a performing arts degree, that low debt load provides crucial flexibility for graduates to take lower-paying artistic opportunities or build portfolios without immediate financial pressure. Just keep Utah's generally lower cost of living in mind when comparing these salaries to programs in pricier markets.