Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at State University of New York at Oswego

With only 19 graduates in the sample, these numbers bounce around a lot year-to-year, but SUNY Oswego's theatre program shows a pattern common to New York arts programs: starting salaries just under $20,000. What's notable here is the debt load—at $27,000, it's remarkably low compared to most theatre degrees nationwide (5th percentile means 95% of programs leave students with more debt). Graduates earn slightly more than the typical New York theatre grad ($18,740) and land in the middle of the national pack, though well behind the state's top performers like Manhattan School of Music or Buffalo.

The 1.37 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about 16 months' salary, which is manageable for an arts degree—many theatre programs see ratios above 2.0. The real challenge is the absolute income level: $19,673 makes loan payments tight even with relatively modest debt. Oswego serves a predominantly working-class student body (39% on Pell grants), so limiting debt exposure matters more here than at wealthier schools.

For families committed to theatre, this represents a lower-risk entry point than most alternatives. The small sample size means individual outcomes vary widely—one graduate landing a Broadway gig or one working retail skews everything. But if your child is serious about theatre and considering in-state options, Oswego delivers comparable training to pricier New York programs while keeping the financial downside contained.