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Theater & Drama at New York Film Academy

Burbank, CA · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
18
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,181/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #212 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 $390K $398K $383K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 18 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$146,952
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
17.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$23,826
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $18,181/yr, roughly in line with the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 2.7x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 2% 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 #212 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places New York Film Academy in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About New York Film Academy

a compact campus enrolling 965 students in Burbank, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at New York Film Academy →

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 New York Film Academy

Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($16,415)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What does a 18/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at New York Film Academy?
At 18/100, 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 New York Film Academy?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 18 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →