Theater & Drama at California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings
$18,182/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market
Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI
16.5x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
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 | $466K | $468K | $440K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.5x | 16.5x | 15.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.1x | 6.2x | 5.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 36% | 33% | 27% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 25 | 25 | 22 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,292
Out-of-state: $75,812 (6.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,683
91% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Fullerton
A 87% acceptance rate means California State University-Fullerton is accessible to most applicants, with 36,956 students enrolled in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fullerton →Top Career Paths
Producers and directors
$83,480/yr
Fashion designers
$80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190/yr
Compare & Explore
Theater & Drama at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-Fullerton
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
How does California State University-Fullerton's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 25/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does California State University-Fullerton rank so high for Theater & Drama?
The #63 ranking out of 270 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →