Theater & Drama at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater

New York City, NY · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

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 Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama, 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 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

Theater & Drama opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Theater & Drama career guide →

Compare & Explore

Theater & Drama Overview

Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater?
A score of 29/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Theater & Drama. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Do Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Theater & Drama graduates?
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 Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater.
How could AI change the job market for Theater & Drama graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Theater & Drama are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
How many job openings are there for Theater & Drama graduates?
The career paths mapped to Theater & Drama have roughly 78,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →