Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $15,372/yr fall 27% below the $21,147 national median for Theater & Drama. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $15,000 represents roughly 12 months of the $15,372 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #190 of 270 Theater & Drama programs, Ramapo College of New Jersey falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $38,493 show a 150% jump from the $15,372 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.