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Theater & Drama at Rutgers University-Newark

Newark, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,770/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 6.4x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #71 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 50%

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 $418K $423K $404K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.3x 6.4x 6.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 25 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$66,344
Out-of-state: $141,392 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,628
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $24,770 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from Rutgers University-Newark earn slightly above the $21,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 6.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,000 debt-to-$24,770 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #71 out of 270 programs, Rutgers University-Newark's Theater & Drama offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About Rutgers University-Newark

With 79% of applicants admitted, Rutgers University-Newark prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 7,187 in Newark, NJ. 56% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Rutgers University-Newark →

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 Rutgers University-Newark

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,448) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($80,060) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($72,259) Finance and Financial Management Services ($68,338) Accounting and Related Services ($68,141) Management Information Systems and Services ($63,023) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($58,896) Information Science/Studies ($56,360)

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

How does Rutgers University-Newark's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 25/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →