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Visual & Performing Arts · Theater & Drama Rank #10 of 270

Theater & Dramaat California State University-Dominguez Hills

Graduates earn $25,920/yr in their first year — about 23.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $428K; scenarios range from $407K to $422K depending on AI disruption.

Carson, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,920
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$428K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
38% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU Dominguez Hills

Your strong showing in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft from Cal State Dominguez Hills is largely a testament to its prime location within the greater Los Angeles entertainment ecosystem. Being so close to Hollywood, you're not just learning theory; you're immersed in one of the world's most vibrant professional theatre, film, and television industries. This proximity creates unparalleled opportunities for hands-on experience and networking right from your student days. The emphasis on 'Stagecraft' likely means the program equips you with highly marketable technical and production skills—think set design, lighting, sound, costume, and production management—which are in constant demand across the industry, from independent productions to major studios and touring companies. These roles often provide a more stable career path and a direct route to becoming a producer or director, explaining why graduates find such robust career starts. To truly maximize your potential, actively seek internships and build connections within the local entertainment scene throughout your studies.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$407K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple14.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$428K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple15.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$422K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple14.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU Dominguez Hills's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Theater & Drama graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Fashion designers
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 2,300 openings/yr
$80,690/yr
Moderate
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
5
Set and exhibit designers
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$66,280/yr
Moderate
6
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Theater & Drama

How CSU Dominguez Hills stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Saint Mary's College of California
CA · Private nonprofit
31
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
0.7x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
VA · Public
31
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
University of South Dakota
SD · Public
29
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
34
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
6.1x
ROI
Also at CSU Dominguez Hills

Other top programs at CSU Dominguez Hills

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Dominguez Hills, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Theater & Drama offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at CSU Dominguez Hills

What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at California State University-Dominguez Hills?

At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is California State University-Dominguez Hills one of the best schools for Theater & Drama?

Among 270 Theater & Drama programs, California State University-Dominguez Hills's #10 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.