Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University at Buffalo

UB's theatre program starts strong with first-year earnings of $25,810—ranking in the 80th percentile among New York's 62 theatre programs and well above both the state median ($18,740) and national median ($20,698). That initial performance is impressive, beating most CUNY and SUNY competitors. However, the sharp earnings drop to $15,228 by year four demands explanation. This could reflect graduates pursuing advanced degrees, relocating to expensive theatre markets where they're early in their careers, or the reality of piecing together gig work in the performing arts.

The debt picture is reasonable at $26,637, essentially matching state and national norms for this field. With a 1.03 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income, graduates aren't overleveraged compared to their initial wages. But if that year-four number represents a sustained pattern rather than a temporary dip, the financial math becomes challenging.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making these figures less reliable than larger programs. One graduate who left the industry or pursued an MFA could significantly skew the numbers. If your child is serious about this path, connect with recent UB theatre alumni directly to understand what's really happening after graduation. The strong initial placement suggests valuable industry connections, but you need more than statistics can tell you about whether those earnings recover.