Home Schools Saint Mary's College of California Theater & Drama
Visual & Performing Arts · Theater & Drama Rank #6 of 270

Theater & Dramaat Saint Mary's College of California

Graduates earn $38,160/yr in their first year — about 80.0% above the national Theater & Drama average. Base-case 10-year earnings $474K; scenarios range from $445K to $473K depending on AI disruption.

Moraga, CA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
31 AT RISK
31
Optimistic
22
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,160
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$474K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
38% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Saint Mary's College of California

Your exploration of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Saint Mary's College places you in a unique and advantageous position, primarily due to its prime location within the dynamic San Francisco Bay Area. This isn't just about performance; the program's "Stagecraft" emphasis means you're developing highly practical skills in technical theatre, design, and production management. These capabilities are in high demand across the region's robust arts ecosystem, encompassing not only traditional theatres but also film production, event management, and even tech companies seeking creative talent.

Being a private institution, you'll likely benefit from smaller class sizes, dedicated faculty mentorship, and strong alumni connections that can open doors to internships and early career opportunities. These factors contribute significantly to graduates securing roles as producers, designers, educators, and writers within a competitive, yet opportunity-rich, market that generally commands higher salaries across all sectors. To maximize your potential, actively seek out internships with local theatre companies or production houses throughout your degree; hands-on experience and networking are paramount here.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$445K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score22/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$474K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$473K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Saint Mary's College of California's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Theater & Drama graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Fashion designers
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 2,300 openings/yr
$80,690/yr
Moderate
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
5
Set and exhibit designers
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$66,280/yr
Moderate
6
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Theater & Drama

How Saint Mary's College of California stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
VA · Public
31
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
University of South Dakota
SD · Public
29
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
34
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
6.1x
ROI
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
PA · Public
34
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
6.9x
ROI
Also at Saint Mary's College of California

Other top programs at Saint Mary's College of California

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Saint Mary's College of California, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Theater & Drama offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Theater & Drama at Saint Mary's College of California

What does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Saint Mary's College of California?

At 31/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Saint Mary's College of California one of the best schools for Theater & Drama?

Among 270 Theater & Drama programs, Saint Mary's College of California's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.