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Theater & Drama at California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
15 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
16
Optimistic
15
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,673/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #231 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

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 $457K $459K $433K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.0x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 16 15 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$226,896
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$188,732
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
14.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,299
56% growth from Year 1

About California Institute of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts accepts 26% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a smaller student body of 881 in Valencia, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Institute of the Arts →

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

Compare this program → View all 270 schools offering Theater & Drama →

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Saint Mary's College of California ($38,160) University of Notre Dame ($37,531) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) University of South Dakota ($33,852) The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($33,169) Carnegie Mellon University ($32,967) University of Colorado Boulder ($32,142)

Other Majors at California Institute of the Arts

Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($28,247) Music ($18,896)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Institute of the Arts's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 15/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do California Institute of the Arts Theater & Drama graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →