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Theater & Drama at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Teaneck, NJ · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
13
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,666/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #252 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 $476K $477K $447K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 14 13 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$143,288
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,064
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
18.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,262
112% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $16,666 place Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 3.3x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.5x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #252 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $16,666-to-$35,262 earnings arc over five years reflects a 112% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,578 students in Teaneck, NJ. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $61,064 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus →

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 Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($91,523) Accounting and Related Services ($53,129) Finance and Financial Management Services ($52,729) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($41,788) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($39,442) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($39,071) Hospitality Administration/Management ($38,330) Criminology ($37,619)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 13/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus?
At 13/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Theater & Drama degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus?
At $25,000 in median debt, graduates carry 18 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Theater & Drama at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus?
The 57% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $143,288. At a net cost of $61,064, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →