Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degree) at Molloy University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$17,050

16th percentile

40th percentile in New York

Median Debt

$27,000

8% above national median

Analysis

At $17,050 in first-year earnings, Molloy's theatre program lands below even the modest national median for this field—ranking in just the 16th percentile nationally. That's roughly $3,600 less than the typical drama graduate earns, and dramatically below what nearby CUNY Hunter College ($25,059) or SUNY Buffalo ($25,810) students achieve in the same major. The state ranking of 40th percentile offers little comfort when New York's median for theatre programs is already just $18,740.

The $27,000 debt burden—higher than 95% of theatre programs nationally—compounds the challenge. With graduates earning barely enough for part-time minimum wage work, that debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.58 means students owe roughly 19 months of their entire first-year salary. Theatre is inherently a tough financial path, but this combination of below-average earnings and above-average debt makes it particularly steep.

For families considering this program, the comparison to public alternatives is stark. SUNY schools deliver theatre degrees with similar or better early earnings at likely lower cost for in-state students. Unless Molloy offers specific connections, faculty, or production opportunities unavailable elsewhere, the financial arithmetic here strongly favors exploring other options in New York's competitive theatre education landscape.

Where Molloy University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all drama/theatre arts and stagecraft bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Molloy University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (62 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Molloy UniversityRockville Centre	$37,840	$17,050	—	$27,000	1.58
Manhattan School of MusicNew York	$54,600	$29,400	—	$27,000	0.92
University at BuffaloBuffalo	$10,782	$25,810	$15,228	$26,637	1.03
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York	$7,382	$25,059	$33,006	—	—
Nazareth UniversityRochester	$40,880	$23,511	$28,859	$27,000	1.15
SUNY College at PotsdamPotsdam	$8,712	$22,873	$35,579	$26,208	1.15
National Median	—	$20,698	—	$25,000	1.21

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with drama/theatre arts and stagecraft graduates

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Producers and Directors

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Media Programming Directors

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Talent Directors

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Media Technical Directors/Managers

Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Music Directors and Composers

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

$63,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Actors

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Jobs growth:Some college, no degree

Dancers

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

Jobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Molloy University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 41 graduates with reported earnings and 41 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.