Theater & Drama at Binghamton University

Vestal, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,920/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #128 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Theater & Drama graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $394K $401K $386K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.7x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.4x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,452
Out-of-state: $117,812 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,456
-106% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$29,395
55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $18,920 track close to the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Theater & Drama's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,500 against $18,920/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #128 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, Binghamton University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Binghamton University

Binghamton University admits 38% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving 14,401 students in Vestal, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at Binghamton University →

Top Career Paths

Producers and directors $83,480/yr
Fashion designers $80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Other Majors at Binghamton University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at Binghamton University?
A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Theater & Drama at Binghamton University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $19,500 against $18,920/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →