Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at California Institute of the Arts

CalArts graduates earn more than 60% of drama programs in California despite carrying slightly above the state median debt of $17,235. At $22,673 in the first year, outcomes outpace both the national median ($20,698) and California median ($20,538), though they trail the state's top performers like Saint Mary's College ($38,160) and Cal State Dominguez Hills ($25,920). The $27,000 debt load—while higher than many California programs—translates to a 1.19 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about 14 months of their first-year salary.

The earnings trajectory tells an important story: income jumps 29% by year four to $29,196. For a selective arts conservatory (26% admission rate), this growth pattern suggests graduates who stick with performance and production work see meaningful career development. However, even at year four, earnings remain modest in absolute terms, which matters when considering CalArts' private school costs. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these figures reflect real outcomes but may not capture every graduate's path.

For families committed to training at a prestigious arts institution, CalArts delivers competitive results within the theatre world. But this isn't a financial safety bet—it's a program where passion for the craft needs to outweigh conventional return-on-investment calculations. Graduates who supplement their work with teaching, commercial projects, or adjacent entertainment careers will likely fare better than those pursuing stage work exclusively.