Theater & Drama at Theatre of Arts

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

a smaller institution with 37 students in Hollywood, CA.

Program Analysis

At $18,746 per year, Theater & Drama graduates from Theatre of Arts significantly outpace the $14,801 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 4.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs manageable.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Theater & Drama graduates.

The $18,714 debt-to-$18,746 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #3 out of 13 programs, Theatre of Arts's Theater & Drama program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 7 registered apprenticeships mapped to Theater & Drama, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

30 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
26
Low End
30
Score
32
High End
Earnings $18,746/yr (27% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$196K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
4.5x
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
$43,880
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,714
12.0 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Theatre of Arts? 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

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Theater & Drama at Theatre of Arts?
At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Theatre of Arts one of the best schools for Theater & Drama?
Among 13 Theater & Drama programs, Theatre of Arts's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Theater & Drama through an apprenticeship instead of Theatre of Arts?
Beyond Theatre of Arts's classroom route, 7 registered apprenticeships map to Theater & Drama careers — including Actor. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
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 →