Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at American Musical and Dramatic Academy

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

Admission to American Musical and Dramatic Academy is competitive, with 25% of applicants accepted, with a smaller student body of 1,502 in New York, NY.

Program Analysis

American Musical and Dramatic Academy's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates start at $15,909/yr — above the $14,801 national average, though not by a wide margin.

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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.

The $12,000 debt-to-$15,909 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #5 out of 13 programs, American Musical and Dramatic Academy's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

With 7 registered apprenticeships mapped to Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

29 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
25
Low End
29
Score
31
High End
Earnings $15,909/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$166K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
1.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
12 of 12
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$91,120
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Producers and directors $83,480 +4.9% 58%
Fashion designers $80,690 +2.0% 61%
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190 +1.7% 56%
Producers and directors
$83,480
+4.9% growth 58% AI-proof
Fashion designers
$80,690
+2.0% growth 61% AI-proof
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190
+1.7% growth 56% AI-proof

View all 12 career paths with full salary data →

About Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Careers

Your work in the performing arts is all about collaboration and creation. As a director, you'll spend your days in rehearsal halls guiding actors, in production meetings coordinating with designers, and on set making the final creative calls. If you lean towards stagecraft, you might be a set designer, translating scripts into physical worlds. You’ll move from drafting tables and 3D modeling software to the workshop, overseeing carpenters and painters as they build the environment you envisioned.

Read the full Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft career guide →

Compare & Explore

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Overview

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Other Schools

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does American Musical and Dramatic Academy's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Are there apprenticeship options for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft?
There are 7 registered apprenticeships connected to Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates?
The career paths mapped to Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft have roughly 78,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →