Theater & Drama at New York Film Academy

Burbank, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

a compact campus enrolling 965 students in Burbank, CA.

Program Analysis

At $6,814 per year, Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama'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 Theater & Drama programs, New York Film Academy falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Theater & Drama 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 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

What can you do with a Theater & Drama credential from New York Film Academy? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Theater & Drama career guide →

Compare & Explore

Theater & Drama Overview

Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama at New York Film Academy?
At 28/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for Theater & Drama 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 Theater & Drama 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.
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 New York Film Academy.
Is there demand for Theater & Drama workers?
With approximately 78,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Theater & Drama offers a large employment pool. New York Film Academy graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →