Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft bachelor's degree outcomes at Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public · Federal field 5005

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$2,998 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 73.4% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −135% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+62%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$23,517 → $38,201

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

25Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

30Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

32Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,391

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$27,000

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$36,777

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$286/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,391Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$28,851Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE69.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE48.7%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$23,517Year 1

$36,777Year 4

$38,201Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

9.3% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$3,065

Estimated loan payment$286

32borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$36,777 vs. $39,775

$2,998 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$62,960 median wageIL estimate · 4,170 jobs · 25-1121+2.2% projected U.S. growth · 8k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeActorsNot available median wageU.S. estimate · 1,060 jobs · 27-2011+0.0% projected U.S. growth · 6.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Some college, no degreeProducers and Directors$81,080 median wageIL estimate · 3,170 jobs · 27-2012+4.0% projected U.S. growth · 12.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEntertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All OtherNot available median wageU.S. estimate · 430 jobs · 27-2099+4.7% projected U.S. growth · 4.5k openings/yrTypical entry: No formal educational credentialWriters and Authors$68,220 median wageIL estimate · 2,640 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeChoreographers$34,560 median wageIL estimate · 30 jobs · 27-2032+3.1% projected U.S. growth · 0.6k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentDancersNot available median wageU.S. estimate · 8,130 jobs · 27-2031+2.2% projected U.S. growth · 1.6k openings/yrTypical entry: No formal educational credentialFashion Designers$80,960 median wageU.S. estimate · 21,450 jobs · 27-1022+0.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSet and Exhibit Designers$75,240 median wageU.S. estimate · 330 jobs · 27-1027+1.4% projected U.S. growth · 2.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeMusic Directors and Composers$49,270 median wageIL estimate · 12,540 jobs · 27-2041+1.2% projected U.S. growth · 4.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCostume Attendants$49,170 median wageIL estimate · 140 jobs · 39-3092+5.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentMusicians and SingersNot available median wageU.S. estimate · 1,300 jobs · 27-2042+0.3% projected U.S. growth · 17.4k openings/yrTypical entry: No formal educational credential

Possible alternatives