Theater & Drama at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,004/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #64 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 25%

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 $435K $439K $417K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.6x 14.8x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.7x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 25 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,940
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,222
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

San Francisco State University's Theater & Drama graduates start at $23,004/yr — above the $21,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 14.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $17,940 debt-to-$23,004 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #64 out of 270 programs, San Francisco State University's Theater & Drama program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $23,004 to $31,222 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About San Francisco State University

A 96% acceptance rate means San Francisco State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 20,033 students in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco State 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

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Francisco State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Francisco State University'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.
Why does San Francisco State University rank so high for Theater & Drama?
The #64 ranking out of 270 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →