Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at California State University-Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton's Theatre program shows an unusual pattern that defies typical performing arts outcomes: graduates earn just $18,000 in their first year but see their income jump 63% to nearly $30,000 by year four. This trajectory matters because most theatre programs show flat or declining earnings over time, yet CSU Fullerton graduates appear to steadily gain traction in their careers. The program ranks in the 40th percentile among California's 64 theatre programs—middle of the pack for first-year earnings but positioned to potentially climb higher as graduates gain experience.

The debt picture is more favorable than it appears at first glance. While the program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for debt (meaning most theatre programs leave students with more debt), the actual $17,500 load is manageable and roughly equals what graduates earn in their first year. That near-even ratio gives graduates breathing room during those lean early-career years when many performers piece together multiple gigs. Nearly half of students receive Pell grants, and the low tuition typical of CSU schools makes this accessible for middle-class families.

The real question is whether your child can weather that difficult first year earning just $18,000. If they have a financial cushion or can live at home initially, this program offers a plausible path into theatre work with debt they can actually pay off—something rare in performing arts education.