Best Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Degrees in the US by ROI

Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Programs Analyzed

8

Colleges with salary data

Average 20-Yr Net ROI

-$531,763

Across all programs

Average Annual Cost

$54,537

Cost of attendance

# College State 20-Yr Net ROI Median Salary Annual Cost Avg Debt
1 University of Evansville

Grad rate: 67.8%

IN -$447,848 $22,411 $56,068 N/A Full ROI →
2 Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater

Grad rate: 52.5%

NY -$451,381 $22,590 $39,556 $17,500 Full ROI →
3 American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Grad rate: 71.3%

NY -$514,019 $20,298 $63,779 $12,000 Full ROI →
4 Circle in the Square Theatre School NY -$520,580 $19,446 $42,500 $20,000 Full ROI →
5 New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

Grad rate: 76.5%

NY -$528,553 $18,346 $55,473 N/A Full ROI →
6 American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles

Grad rate: 62.3%

CA -$591,524 $16,346 $55,265 $17,170 Full ROI →
7 American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York

Grad rate: 73.8%

NY -$597,628 $16,346 $61,369 $17,170 Full ROI →
8 New York Film Academy

Grad rate: 69.4%

CA -$602,576 $15,627 $62,291 $9,500 Full ROI →

How ROI is calculated

20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.

Find Best Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Degrees by State

Browse Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.