Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater

New York City, NY · Private nonprofit · Certificate

Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater has a 71% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 71 students in New York City, NY.

Program Analysis

Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates start at $10,492/yr, trailing the $14,801 national average by 29%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 9.5x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.

The $12,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $10,492 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

Ranked #6 out of 13 programs, Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $10,492 to $20,240 over five years (93% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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
24
Low End
29
Score
31
High End
Earnings $10,492/yr (-29% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$184K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.0x
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
$18,400
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
13.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$20,240
93% growth from Year 1

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

What does a 29/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater?
A score of 29/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Do Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
Median debt of $12,000 against $10,492/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average for a trade program — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Can you still earn well with Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft from Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
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 could AI change the job market for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
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 →