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Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $11,604/yr (-45% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 20.9x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $641K $630K $571K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.3x 20.9x 18.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.4x 10.2x 9.2x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 30 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,152
Out-of-state: $61,952 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$15,320
49% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,566
310% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $11,604/yr fall 45% below the $21,147 national median for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 20.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Ranked #12 out of 270 programs, CUNY Queens College's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $11,604 to $47,566 over five years (310% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About CUNY Queens College

With a 69% acceptance rate, CUNY Queens College is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 13,060 in Queens, NY. With 48% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $15,320 over four years — 49% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Queens College →

Top Career Paths

Producers and directors $83,480/yr
Fashion designers $80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 270 schools offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft →

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Other Schools

Saint Mary's College of California ($38,160) University of Notre Dame ($37,531) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) University of South Dakota ($33,852) The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($33,169) Carnegie Mellon University ($32,967) University of Colorado Boulder ($32,142)

Compare Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

CUNY Queens College vs Saint Mary's College of California → CUNY Queens College vs University of Notre Dame → CUNY Queens College vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University → CUNY Queens College vs The University of Texas at Austin → CUNY Queens College vs Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania →

Other Majors at CUNY Queens College

Computer Science ($63,632) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($58,894) Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language ($48,923) Finance and Financial Management Services ($45,168) Accounting and Related Services ($45,158) Urban Studies/Affairs ($42,995) Economics ($39,377) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($37,654)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY Queens College's Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does CUNY Queens College rank so high for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft?
The #12 ranking out of 270 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Why are Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft earnings lower at CUNY Queens College?
Lower starting pay at CUNY Queens College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →