Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts

KD Conservatory graduates start with first-year earnings 46% above the national median for theatre associate's degrees, ranking in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's the good news. The problem is what happens next: by year four, median earnings have dropped to $18,887—a 17% decline that erases much of the initial advantage. In Texas specifically, this program sits at the state median for both earnings and debt, meaning it's neither particularly expensive nor particularly lucrative compared to other in-state options.

The debt load of $17,316 translates to a 0.76 ratio against first-year earnings, which is manageable by theatre program standards. With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, many graduates are financing their education through loans, making that earnings decline especially concerning. The question for parents is whether the conservatory's industry connections and training justify a shrinking income trajectory that other theatre graduates don't experience as sharply.

This is a specialized program with moderate sample size data, so individual outcomes will vary widely based on talent and hustle. If your child is serious about performance or film work in Dallas specifically, the conservatory's local industry ties might create opportunities the numbers don't capture. But the earnings pattern suggests many graduates either pivot away from full-time theatre work or face a competitive market where early roles don't lead to better-paying ones. Factor in whether your family can absorb the debt if theatre doesn't pan out.