Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus

The first year after graduation is financially brutal—$16,666 barely covers basic living expenses in the New York metro area—but the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) makes it hard to know if this reflects a temporary struggle or a systemic problem. What's more telling is the trajectory: earnings nearly double by year four to $31,424, which actually edges above the state median and shows stronger growth than many theatre programs where early earnings often represent the ceiling.

Within New Jersey's competitive theatre landscape, FDU-Florham sits squarely in the middle, ranking at the 40th percentile statewide. That's not remarkable, but it's also not the bottom. The debt load of $25,139 is typical for theatre programs nationally, and with earnings reaching $31,424 by year four, the financial burden becomes more manageable than the initial ratio suggests. The real question is whether you're comfortable with that difficult first year—theatre careers notoriously start slow as graduates piece together gig work, internships, and survival jobs.

For families banking on immediate post-graduation income, this program will disappoint. But for students committed to theatre who understand they're buying time to build a career rather than immediate earning power, the pattern of significant earnings growth offers some reassurance. Just recognize you're looking at a very small dataset that could swing dramatically year to year.