Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $14,133/yr fall 33% below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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 9% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $26,826 against $14,133/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.9 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #265 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, Fordham University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $43,045 show a 205% jump from the $14,133 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.