Theater & Drama at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

with a mid-sized student body of 10,556 in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $15,314 track close to the $14,801 national median for Theater & Drama programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 24.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Theater & Drama programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Theater & Drama's career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #1 of 13 programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Theater & Drama program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $31,640 show a 107% jump from the $15,314 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Theater & Drama offers 7 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

34 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
28
Low End
34
Score
36
High End
Earnings $15,314/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$269K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
25.8x
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 (In-State)
$10,436
Out-of-state: $16,196
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,640
107% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Theater & Drama 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 →

Theater & Drama Career Guide

Explore what Theater & Drama graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 13 programs nationwide.

Read the full Theater & Drama career guide →

Compare & Explore

Theater & Drama Overview

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Can I learn Theater & Drama through an apprenticeship instead of CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
Yes — 7 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Theater & Drama career paths, including Actor. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at CUNY LaGuardia Community College.
What's the AI uncertainty for Theater & Drama careers?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
What's the job market like for Theater & Drama from CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
With approximately 78,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Theater & Drama offers a large employment pool. CUNY LaGuardia Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →