Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at New York Film Academy

Burbank, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 965 students in Burbank, CA.

Program Analysis

At $6,814 per year, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates from New York Film Academy earn below the $14,801 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 1.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft's career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $14,750 exceeds 2.2 years of the $6,814 starting salary — a significant financial commitment that requires careful planning.

Ranked #13 of 13 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs, New York Film Academy falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft offers 7 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

28 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
23
Low End
28
Score
29
High End
Earnings $6,814/yr (-54% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$71K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
1.0x
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
$73,476
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,750
26.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$22,665
233% 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

Other Majors at New York Film Academy

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 28/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at New York Film Academy?
At 28/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft from New York Film Academy?
The debt-to-income ratio of 2.2x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Is New York Film Academy a good choice for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If New York Film Academy's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft through an apprenticeship instead?
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.
Is there demand for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft workers?
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 →