Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at SUNY College at Potsdam

SUNY Potsdam's theatre program posts surprisingly strong numbers for a performing arts degree, earning graduates $35,579 four years out—nearly double the median among New York's 62 theatre programs ($18,740) and well above the national median of $20,698. That 60th percentile ranking in New York understates the advantage: graduates here out-earn peers at most SUNY and CUNY programs, trailing only specialized schools like Manhattan School of Music and major research universities. The 56% earnings jump from year one to year four suggests graduates are successfully transitioning from survival jobs to more stable arts administration, education, or related roles.

The debt load of $26,208 stays close to program norms and represents just 1.15 times first-year earnings—reasonable given how performing arts careers typically start. For context, the typical theatre graduate nationally faces similar debt but earns $2,000 less annually, making Potsdam's outcomes comparatively manageable. The school's 85% admission rate and substantial Pell population (43%) indicate accessibility without sacrificing employment outcomes.

The major asterisk: fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, so individual circumstances could significantly skew these numbers. But if your child is committed to theatre and wants an affordable SUNY option, Potsdam's track record beats most in-state alternatives by a meaningful margin.