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Theater & Drama at Pace University

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
12 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
12
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,659/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #268 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 $429K $434K $413K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.1x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 12 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$205,696
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,184
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,950
19.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,786
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Pace University's Theater & Drama graduates start at $16,659/yr, trailing the $21,147 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 2.1x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 4% 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 1.6x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #268 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Pace University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $16,659-to-$27,786 earnings arc over five years reflects a 67% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Pace University

A 77% acceptance rate means Pace University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 7,725 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $124,184 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pace University →

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 Pace University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($107,433) Accounting and Related Services ($69,166) Special Education and Teaching ($62,346) Finance and Financial Management Services ($61,246) International Business ($61,228) Computer Science ($60,551) Information Science/Studies ($52,116) Economics ($51,426)

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 12/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Pace University?
At 12/100, 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 Pace University?
At $26,950 in median debt, graduates carry 19 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Pace University a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pace University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →