Theater & Drama at Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
13
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,339/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #255 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 $489K $489K $457K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 14 13 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$152,728
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,959
101% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Vassar College's Theater & Drama program produces graduates earning $19,339/yr — within striking distance of the $21,147 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 1.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $19,339 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #255 out of 270 programs, Vassar College's financial outcomes for Theater & Drama trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $19,339 to $38,959 over five years (101% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Vassar College

Admission to Vassar College is competitive, with 18% of applicants accepted, a compact campus enrolling 2,430 students in Poughkeepsie, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $152,728 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Vassar College →

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 Vassar College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Vassar College's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 13/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Vassar College Theater & Drama graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →