Theater & Drama Schools in California

3 schools compared · Average earnings $13,298/yr

3 California schools offer Theater & Drama. Average graduate earnings run 10% below the national average — something worth factoring in alongside tuition, location, and program fit.

Schools in CA
3
Avg Grad Earnings
$13,298/yr
-10% vs. national avg
Avg Score
29/100
Top CA Cities
2
with programs

Theater & Drama Training in California: What You Need to Know

Local program supply

California has 3 schools offering Theater & Drama programs, concentrated in 2 cities including {'city': 'Hollywood', 'city_slug': 'hollywood', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 18746.0}, {'city': 'Los Angeles', 'city_slug': 'los-angeles', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 13390.0}. Most students attend within 60 miles of home — local choice matters more than national rankings.

Earnings vs. national

Theater & Drama graduates in California earn approximately $13,298/year on average, which is -10% below the national average for this trade. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

California-specific licensing

Most skilled trades require a state-issued license or certification before you can work independently. Requirements vary substantially by state. Verify California-specific licensing through the relevant state board (Department of Labor, Contractors Board, or trade-specific licensing body). Apprenticeship hours often count toward licensure.

How California compares

Average TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Theater & Drama programs in California is 29/100. Cost of living, wage levels, and program supply all vary by state — see the school list below ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score, which combines earnings, debt, and job-market demand.

Theater & Drama Programs in California

All 3 California schools offering Theater & Drama, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click a school to see full earnings projections and program details.

# School Score Earnings ROI
1 New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA
28 $6,814/yr -0.1x
2 Theatre of Arts
Hollywood, CA
30 $18,746/yr 3.3x
3 American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
28 $14,335/yr 2.6x

Where Theater & Drama Programs Cluster in California

Cities with the most Theater & Drama programs — useful if you want to minimize commute or relocate within state.

City Schools Avg Earnings
Hollywood, CA 1 $18,746/yr
Los Angeles, CA 1 $13,390/yr

Compare Theater & Drama in Other States

Considering a nearby state? Here's how California compares to others with strong Theater & Drama offerings.

← See Theater & Drama programs across all states
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, and DOL RAPIDS. Methodology & sources →