Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater

The Neighborhood Playhouse's theatre certificate produces concerning first-year outcomes—$10,492 places it in just the 5th percentile nationally—but the story becomes more complicated over time. Graduates see 103% earnings growth by year four, reaching $21,269, though that's still below what many full-time minimum wage jobs would provide. Among New York theatre programs specifically, this ranks at the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state produce better outcomes. The $17,500 debt burden is close to national and state norms for this credential, but taking on that much debt for sub-$20,000 earnings at year four creates obvious financial pressure.

New York theatre programs are notoriously difficult, and the pathways here often depend on factors these numbers can't capture—networking, casting, additional training, or cobbling together multiple income streams. The American Academy of Dramatic Arts produces similar four-year earnings with the same debt load, while the American Musical and Dramatic Academy's graduates earn $17,382 at the one-year mark. If your child is determined to pursue theatre training in New York, understand that even with strong earnings growth, they'll likely need family financial support or additional income sources for several years post-graduation. The debt is manageable in absolute terms, but the earnings trajectory makes repayment challenging without supplementary work.